Stargate SG1

by Anaika Skywalker

An alternate look at the episodes of Stargate SG1, starting at the end of the Movie and then on to 'Children of the Gods'. Completed.

3. Legacy

Title: Stargate SG-1

Author: Anaika Skywalker

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Don't own it, wish I did, I just like to play with SG-1 once and a while. I'll put them back when I'm finished. I promise.

Author's Note: This chapter starts with 'Legacy', has 'Forever In a Day' and mentions 'Material Instinct'. Sometimes writing a chapter like this one; means watching an episodse over and over and judging reactions and emotions displayed. I found watching 'Legacy' an episode that gave a lot and Michael Shanks gave so much in it. But I also looked at it though everyone's eyes, and thought to myself how would I react, would I have said or done anything different. Then I put myself within the story as Cali, which for this chapter wasn't easy, so after more then one rewrite, here it is. I hope you all enjoy it.

Bartlamg: thanks, I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Winjan: Hi, I was hoping you'd like this one.

LetNys: I always value the opinions of those who do review, so thank you for yours. I do a lot of research for my stories, which at times means watching an episode over and over to get it right.

Nightshae: Thanks, here is the more you asked for.

Stargate SG-1

Chapter Three: Legacy

Colonel Jack O'Neill was worried, after the mission to PY3-948 and the discovery of the nine dead Linvris in a sealed chamber, his best friend had collapsed, Daniel was seeing and hearing things that no one else did. To make things unsettling, Jack couldn't reach his daughter as of yet, Cali was off world with SG-2; the Tok'ra had discovered ruins of a Goa'uld occupied city on a remote planet and Cali and SG-2 had gone to take a look, leaving after they had. Now he wished she hadn't gone, but that would have been selfish, Daniel was proud of her accomplishments and doctorates as much as he was. Daniel had urged her right from the beginning to go on missions with other teams and now she was in as bigger demand as he was.

Walking up the stairs to the briefing room, Jack paused when he saw Dr. MacKenzie with Dr. Frasier, Hammond and the remaining members of SG-1. "Dr. MacKenzie."

"Colonel," the men greeted.

"I'm not going to enjoy this, am I?" He asked rhetorically as he took his seat.

"Part of Dr. MacKenzie's work involves analyzing psychological data from SG unites, specifically looking for common side effects to Gate travel." The General explained. "Dr. Jackson's episode yesterday may have uncovered a serious one."

MacKenzie looked to Jack. "Dr. Frasier has been treating you for headaches lately, hasn't she?"

"Yes. What's that got to do with Daniel?" Jack asked.

"Well you're not the only one," the doctor retorted, "fifty percent of SG personnel also have a history of them."

"A lot of people get headaches," Jack pointed out. "What's your point?"

"Dr. Jackson has experienced what I characterize as a first break psychotic episode, which may be manifesting full-blown hebephrenic-schizophrenia." MacKenzie theorized.

"Migraines are often one of the first signs." Janet Frasier said solemnly.

"Wait a minute," Jack interrupted, trying to get an understanding of what they were saying. "Daniel's a schizophrenic and it's caused by - the Stargate?"

"It's the only logical explanation we have right now, Colonel." Janet added.

"Well it sounds fairly theoretical to me," Jack declared, asking. "Does anyone think it could be stress?"

"As much as I'd like to think that's all it is," Janet said, visually disturbed by it all. Daniel was her friend too. "The evidence just doesn't point that way. Daniel has paranoid delusions, auditory and visual hallucinations."

"Dr. Jackson's dopamine levels have increased in the left hemisphere of his brain," MacKenzie revealed. "All these systems are textbook schizophrenia."

"I don't understand how this could happen without us noticing signs," Sam said frustrated. "Cali's never mentioned Daniel behaving unusually or having hallucinations and she'd know."

"We realize that," Janet said calmly. "But nobody knows that exact cause of schizophrenia. Some cases are genetic, but there's no history of it in Daniel's family," she paused. "When it's not genetic, it's environmental and… the Stargate is a plausible environmental cause."

"I've been through the Gate as many times as Daniel and I don't have headaches." Sam stated bluntly.

"Well your body may have some kind of immunity, possibly due to Jolinar."

"What about Cali? She goes through the Gate just as much as we do."

Janet sighed and glanced to Jack, who nodded, so she answered. "Cali suffers from migraines too," she revealed. "I've been treating her for them since I arrived at the SGC."

"She never said anything," Sam said stunned.

"Look," Jack interrupted again. "For the sake of argument, lets just say that it is the Stargate, a theory to which I do not ascribe," he pointed out sincerely, "than why don't we just put a little sign at the base the ramp that says 'Gate travel may be hazardous to your health.' I can live with that."

"So can I, sir." Sam agreed, backing him up.

"The Air Force can't," Hammond said bluntly. "I can't risk any SG officer having delusions in a middle of a crisis. Therefore, as we speak, all outstanding SG teams are being recalled for evaluations."

Sam looked surprised at the General. "You're shutting down the whole program?"

"Only until Dr. MacKenzie and his teams submit their reports," the General assured. "If his theory is proven correct, then limits will be placed on the number of missions. Until then, the Stargate is closed."

"General…" Jack spoke up.

"There is no debate, Colonel." Hammond said firmly.

"Sir, I was only going to say SG-2 aren't due to check in for another six hours and then it'll take them a while to pack up and return," he said dryly.

"I'm well aware of that, Colonel"

"Yes sir."

"Sir," Sam got his attention. "What about Daniel?"

"For now we're going to medicate him and let him rest in one of the VIP rooms," MacKenzie answered for the General.

"But if his symptoms persist or he becomes a threat to himself or anyone else…" Janet hesitated. "We'll have to commit him to Mental Health."

"Crap," Jack whispered and got up, walking out without being dismissed.

Dr. Cali O'Neill finished the etching she was working on and sat back on her heals, she had a pile of etchings at her side, as well as a dozen or so tapes she'd already filled video recording the chamber. The Tok'ra had found the ruins of the city by Ancients, the fact they'd informed the SGC about it was something of an accomplishment made by Jacob Carter; Sam's father was now host to Selmac, the Tok'ra symbiote had saved his life, he'd been dying of Cancer. They had needed each other and now Jacob was liaison between Earth and the Tok'ra. He promptly joked he was the oldest and the wisest of the Tok'ra, which had made Sam roll her eyes and laugh. Selmac had a sense of humor as bad as her dad's; they were going to get a long fine.

SG-2 had been chosen to check out the planet and the ruins, Major Ferretti and his team had requested Cali's assistance and she'd joined them. On their second day they'd found the chamber she was now in, it was on the far side of the city and very different to the rest of the architecture. Jacob Carter had arrived a few hours ago to see how things were going. Lou Ferretti had joked he felt safe leaving her with the ex-General and he and his team had gone to patrol the area.

The Tok'ra agent came over to her, having until then stayed out of her way and just watched her work. "Dr. O'Neill."

"Hi Selmac," she greeted, unzipping her vest, but leaving it on, it was getting hot in the chamber.

He hankered down next to her. "How is it going, Cali?" Jacob asked her, the switch done smoothly.

"This is amazing, Jacob," she gashed, not taking any notice of the change that had occurred from symbiote to host. "I wish Daniel could see this."

He chuckled. "I'm sure he'll get too."

She glanced up at the polished black stonewall before her that was scripted with the gold writing. "This was a meeting place," she pointed out and then gestured to the writing before her. "This is like the writing we found when dad had the knowledge of the Ancients downloaded into his brain." She pointed to another. "This one is Asgard and this one," she paused, "I'm not sure, it looks familiar." She got to her feet, leaving the etchings and charcoal near her pack, holding out her hand to help Jacob up, he grasped it and she pulled him to his feet, even though he didn't need the help he let her and she knew it, grinning. She walked to the center of the room, standing within a circle of writing. "Here it says, 'He who comes here must serve the good, he who stands here can be judged'. It's Ancient, a derivative of Latin."

"Do you know what it means?"

"Nope, but that's the fun of finding out," she mused.

Jacob smiled; Cali was like a kid in a candy store, her excitement so evident. His smile quickly vanished when he saw the Jaffa come into the chamber, staff weapons ready to fire.

Cali saw his expression changed and spun round, her hand going to her side arm, it never cleared the holster, the staff blast hit her in the stomach, the force sending flying backwards, hitting the ground hard, as she sank into darkness, the last thing she heard was Jacob screaming her name, the sound of weapons fire and then nothing.

The klaxons blared, announcing the incoming wormhole, General Hammond rushed to the control room the only outstanding team was SG-2. "Do we have an IDC?"

"Yes sir, it's SG-2," the Sergeant reported.

"Open the iris?" He ordered and hurried down to the Gate room, arriving the same time as Jack did. "Colonel."

"Sir."

SG-2 came through the Gate with a rush, along with Jacob Carter; in Major Ferretti's arms was a bloody unconscious Cali O'Neill. A field dressing hastily put over the wound to steam the bleeding.

"Medical team to the Gate room," the General yelled the order and a seconds later it was relayed over the PA system.

Ferretti didn't stop. "We don't have time, I'll meet them," he said and kept going.

Jack went after him, needing to stay with his daughter. "What the hell happened?"

"We were ambushed by Jaffa." Jacob revealed as he kept up with the two men. "Cali spun run, reaching for her gun, it never cleared the holster, the Jaffa just fired on her. She'd unzipped her vest because of the heat in the chamber, so she took the full blast."

Dr. Fraiser and her team came rushing towards them with a gurney, skidding to a stop. Ferretti laid the unconscious linguist on the gurney and let the doctor and her and the medical team treat Cali. Coming out of the elevator, he, Jack and Jacob kept up with them as they raced towards the infirmary, Fraiser ending up on the gurney with Cali, fighting to keep her alive.

Sam and Teal'c meet them at the infirmary, seeing what was happening as the medical team raced passed, taking their patient straight into surgery. Sam looked worried; she hugged her father. "Dad, what happened?"

"We were ambushed, she had her vest undone," Lou Ferretti revealed bluntly, angry with himself for leaving her. "They weren't interested in the rest of us, just Cali, she was their target."

"I agree, Major Ferretti," Selmac announced, having taken control.

Jack lent against the nearest wall, hugging himself. "I should never have let her go," he said aimlessly. He slid down the wall and buried is head in his hands.

Sam and Teal'c crossed to his side, they'd never seen the Colonel cave like this before. He was always so strong, but they'd also been through so much lately and this was his daughter who was fighting for her life this time.

Jacob took back control and hankered down before the distort Colonel. "Jack, where's Daniel?"

Jack looked up. "Oh God," he exclaimed. "Danny, he's…"

Sam took over. "Daniel was committed to Mental Health, dad," she revealed and explained what had happened.

"I've never head of the Stargate causing symptoms like you've just described," Selmac announced. "Are you sure it's the cause?"

"We don't have any other explanation."

Jacob took back control again. "Daniel still needs to know."

General Hammond arrived a few minutes later. "I rang Dr. MacKenzie," he informed. "Dr. Jackson is in no condition to handle this at the moment."

"He'll have to know sometime, George," the former General said and then looked back to the Colonel. "Come on Jack, Cali's strong, she'll pull through this."

Lou wasn't so sure, the young woman was like a kid sister to him, but at that moment he had her blood splattered all over the front of his vest and fatigues. He turned to the General. "Sir, I'd like to get cleaned up?"

Hammond nodded. "Very well, major."

"Thank you sir."

"I'll come back, Jack," he told his friend and hurried out with his team.

Both Sam and Teal'c sat either side of Jack, leaning against the wall. Hammond and Jacob found chairs each and sat down, waiting. Lou returned thirty minutes later, dressed in clean fatigues, along with the other members of SG-2, who had cleaned up. Over the course of the next two hours, team leaders from every team dropped in to see if there had been any word, since it was now all over the base Cali had been brought back injured. The General eventually had to ordered all to leave except for SG-1 and Ferretti, promising as soon as he had word he'd past it on, reluctantly they did.

Janet made an appearance a few minutes later, going over to them, looking tired but hopeful.

Jack, Sam and Teal'c scrambled to their feet.

"She's stable, but critical," Janet reported. "We'll know more in the next twenty-four hours." She hesitated before putting a hand on the Colonel's arm. "Sir, I need to talk to you privately."

Now Jack was worried, he nodded and went with her. Following her to the ICU room his daughter had been settled in. "She's going to die, isn't she?" He asked softly.

Janet rubbed her forehead wearily. "I can't say sir, Cali is strong and health, at this moment she's holding her own, there was a lot of damage and bleeding," she hesitated. "Colonel. Jack…." She saw the look of surprise when she addressed him by his first name. "Cali was pregnant."

"Was?"

She nodded. "There was nothing we could do."

"Oh God," he ran his fingers through his hair. He never would have let her go if he'd known that.

"Sir, I don't think she even knew," Janet said gently, she guided him over to a stood and pushed him down onto it. "Until I know anything else, the only one who'll be told is the General."

"Thanks doc."

She nodded and walked out, leaving him with his daughter.

Jack took Cali's hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing it. "Don't you go and die on me, young lady," he whispered, tears in his eyes. He brushed back her hair, being careful of the nasal cannula, the oxygen tubes running behind her ears and gathered at her throat then off to the left. Her face was ashen and he longed for her to open her eyes and look up at him, but that wasn't going to happen soon though, he knew that.

Sam came up behind her CO and putting her hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. She felt a shiver run up her spin, Cali was like a kid sister and there she was attached to monitors and tubes, fighting for her life.

Teal'c stood the other side of Jack, his approach silent. "We should visit Daniel Jackson," he stated. "He should be informed."

Jack nodded. "How do I tell him?"

"I don't know sir," Sam said honestly. "I don't even know if we should."

General Hammond came into the room, joining them. "Jacob is returning to the Tok'ra, he's going to see if there's been any record of the Stargate causing symptoms like those experienced by Dr. Jackson." He paused. "He said to let us know if Cali's condition becomes worse."

Jack had a feeling he knew why. "I won't let him put a snake in her head, Sir."

"Lets cross that bridge when we come to it, Colonel." Hammond said calmly. He looked to Sam. "Major, would you and Teal'c excuse us a moment."

"Yes sir," she said and they two of them left.

"Jack," the General paused. "Dr. Fraiser filled me in. In light of this I think you, the Major and Teal'c should visit Dr. Jackson, I don't know if you'll be able to get through to him. You'll have to make that decision when you get there, but if he's able to understand, I think he should be told."

"Yes sir." Jack said solemnly and raised form the stool.

"I'll stay with her son."

"Thank you sir," he said and walked out, doing it on autopilot.

Cali had read about out of body experiences, never thought she thing she would experience it for herself, but there she was. She knew she'd been shot by the Jaffa, she knew she was back at the SGC attached to medical equipment. But she was also in a deserted Gate room; overhead was a bright white light that made the place look eerie and there she was. Standing there at the bottom of the ramp in her blue duty uniform, just like she had been a few days ago when she'd seen Daniel and the rest of SG-1 off on their mission to PY3-948. Except now she was alone.

"You're not alone."

She looked up the ramp and saw a young man standing there, he looked a little like her dad, younger then him, but the resemblance was close. Which mean only one thing. "Your…"

"Yes," he walked down to her. "I'm your father."

"You don't look old enough to be my father?" Cali declared realistically.

He smiled. "I have a friend who would say, 'Lightning flashes, sparks shower, in one blink of your eyes you have missing seeing'," he quoted.

She had no idea what that meant. "Right, so you're here because?"

"You're fighting for your life."

"So, I'm going to die?" She asked him.

"Not necessarily," he said with a gentle smile.

"So that means your…?"

Jacob O'Neill, known as Jake, smiled. "It means I'm not an angel, but I am dead, sort off."

"Sort off?" She was confused.

"Well," he sat at the bottom of the ramp and patted the area next to him. She sat down and he continued. "I'm energy, I exist on a high plane of existence."

"Which means?"

"It means, I ascended," Jake said calmly. "I released my burden and rose above mortal coils."

Cali chuckled and touched his arm. "You feel real."

He smiled. "It takes practice and I've had over twenty years to get it right," he mused.

"How did you get like this, I mean how did you come to ascend?"

"Apophis' Serpent Guards had already beaten me near death when he ordered my execution, Master Bra'tac ordered them out, saying he was going to finish the job himself, he got me out of there but it was too late," he explained. "An ascended being named Oma Deslea helped me ascend, I made Bra'tac promise never to speak of it again."

"He told me you died."

"And I did, as I said, I'm energy now and I chose for you to see me this way."

"Oh." She felt funny sitting there in the Gate room. "So if I'm not necessarily going to die, then why?"

"Why am I here?" Jake asked her.

"Yeah."

He stood and held out his hand. "Come with me."

She took his hand and got to her feet, everything seemed to move except for them and suddenly they weren't in the Gate room any more but a white padded hospital room. Daniel was there, in white scrubs, huddled against the wall. She released her father's hand and took a step closer to him.

"He can't see you, Cali." Jake told her gently.

"What… what happened?"

"They think he's schizophrenic and that it's caused by the Stargate."

She shook her head. "That's crap."

"I agreed," he smirked, chuckling over her use of the word. "And he's not, he's been infected by a Goa'uld killing invention."

"Ma'chello," she figured out quickly. "But how?"

"They found a chamber locked from the inside, within were nine dead Goa'uld. The nine were Linvris, a rival league of lesser Goa'uld who challenged the System Lords," Jake revealed. "He was infected by the page turning device, but because he doesn't have a Goa'uld."

"The symptoms are like those experienced by someone who is schizophrenic," she knelt down and gently caressed Daniel's cheek. "My poor Daniel," she said tenderly. "I'm so sorry." He turned and looked straight at her, as if he was seeing her. She frowned and stood, moving back. "Are you sure he can't see us?"

"Positive."

Behind them the door opened and Jack, Sam and Teal'c entered the room, MacKenzie was with them, though he remained in the doorway.

"We have to go," Jake put his hand on her shoulder and everything moved again.

The door to the white padded room was opened and Jack, Sam and Teal'c entered, Dr. MacKenzie stood in the doorway.

"Don't expect much," he told them. "If he becomes agitated, call the aides." He saw the Colonel nodded and walked out, the door being locked after him.

Daniel was sitting against the wall on the floor; the white scrubs he wore made him look pale. He looked up at them, his vision blurry, wondering if they were real or not. He thought he'd seen Cali standing there with a man who looked liked her father, but they hadn't been real. "Jack?"

"It's us, Daniel, can't you see us?" Sam asked him, her voice almost broke. She hated seeing him like this.

"I was just making sure you weren't figments of my…. mind," he said, pausing for a moment. "They took away my glasses in case I broke the lenses and uh… tried to… hurt myself."

Jack couldn't do it, he couldn't tell him about Cali. "They treating you okay?"

"Yeah," Daniel managed to answer him and then it all became too much and broke down, crying. "I'm sorry," he sobbed.

"For what?"

"For being such a head case." He answered, pulling it together a little.

"It's not your fault, Daniel," Sam assured him, she was nearly in tears herself. There was no way the Colonel could tell Daniel about Cali. "We've been talking about what's happened to you."

"Colonel O'Neill believes it has something to do with the Linvris." Teal'c was telling him.

"You remember in that chamber, you said you felt something brush by you?" Jack recalled.

"Yes," Daniel nodded. "It was them, I know you don't believe me, but I felt them." He could hear footsteps. "They heard me." The footsteps were getting louder. He got to his feet and scurried over to the corner of the room, huddling there, frightened. He couldn't let them find him. "They're coming! They're coming."

"Only your friends are here, Daniel Jackson," Teal'c tried reassuring him.

"They're coming," Daniel said again, huddling more into the corner. "I hear footsteps! Footsteps!"

"Daniel!" Jack said impatiently. God he hated this. "There are no footsteps. Stay with us!"

Daniel didn't want to hear it; he put his hands over his ears. "Footsteps!" He repeated, dropping his hands as he saw one of the dead Linvris standing at Teal'c's shoulder. He started laughing hysterically. "I told you, it's one of them. He's right there." He pointed to it.

Teal'c looked where he was pointing, then back again. "There is no one at my side, Daniel Jackson."

"Yes there is."

Jack couldn't take it any more; he looked to Sam. "Want to get the aides?"

She nodded and moved to the door, knocking on the viewing panel. As she did it, Daniel lunged at where he saw the deal Linvris, Teal'c caught him, spinning him around, holding him in a firm grip, Daniel glanced down and saw something crawl out of him and into Teal'c's hand. He pulled out of the Jaffa's hold and back away as the aides came into the room along with a nurse.

"Something just went into Teal'c," he told them shakily.

"You're hallucinating, Daniel." Jack told him.

"Don't just stand there, get it out of him!" He yelled to them.

The aides tackled him to the floor, the nurse giving him an injection as he struggled in their hold. He slowly stopped, hearing Ma'chello's voice in his head.

You have delivered me to the vile Goa'uld so that I may destroy it.

"Ma'chello," Daniel whispered groggily.

MacKenzie had entered the room too. "Ok, let's raise the dose. Five mils at four hour intervals."

"Ma'chello," Daniel whispered again and lost consciousness.

Jack didn't want to see any more, he wanted out. "Let's go," he told his team.

Outside the room, the aide locked the door once more and left with the nurse, leaving MacKenzie with them. "I'm not sure what you attempted to gain, Colonel. I told you not to expect much."

Jack lost it; he grabbed the doctor and threw him up against the door, holding him there. "His life partner is lying in an infirmary bed at the SGC fighting for her life, I expected to be able to tell him that," he said angrily.

"Colonel!" Sam grabbed him.

As did Teal'c, both of them pulling Jack away from the doctor. MacKenzie was shaken but unhurt. "I didn't realize, I'm sorry, Colonel."

"Yeah, so am I," he remarked and stalked away, his team following him.

Cali found it eerie looking at herself lying in the bed, hooked to all those machines. Lou Ferretti sat there at her bedside, her hand in his, talking to her.

"There are a lot of people here who care about you, kiddo," Jake told her.

"I know. Lou was part of the team who went on the first Abydos mission, he thinks of me as a kid sister, they all do," she smiled and shrugged. "Well some of them do."

Jake chuckled. "I guess a lot of them would like to ask you out, but they don't dare."

"No, they don't, not with Jack, Daniel and Teal'c around," she mused and then became solemn. "Daniel and I keep our relationship away from the SGC as much as possible, so many don't realize we're together. Lou knows though, so does Sam and Teal'c. Dad is great about it, even though it took a while for him to understand. The General tries to, but I think he just lets us be then face it."

"He understands more then you give him credit, kiddo."

"I suppose, most don't," she admitted. "Which is why we keep it quiet, Daniel is married to Sha're, even if it is by Abydonian law."

"It'll work out sweetheart," Jake assured, adding. "I'm glad Jack found you, Cali. He needed you as much as you needed him."

She looked back and smile, a sad smile. "I know," she turned and stood before him asking seriously. "I could die, couldn't I?"

"Yes," he answered truthfully. "It's up to you, I can help you ascend or you can keep fighting. Your strong, you can beat this."

Hugging herself, Cali turned again and looked at herself, lying there. "I feel…" she shrugged. "I don't know, like…"

Jake drew her back into his arms. "You can do this, honey. You're not a quitter, you're a fighter and Daniel needs you."

She turned and hugged him. "I need him."

"I know sweetheart, he's going to make it thought this, I promise. Both of you." Everything around them changed and they were back within the Gate room. Jake kissed her forehead. "It's nearly over sweetheart, trust me."

"I do," she whispered.

Dr. Fraiser came back out of the isolation tent to Colonel O'Neill and General Hammond, after SG-1 had returned from visiting Daniel, Teal'c had collapsed, they'd rushed him to the infirmary and into her care, she'd run every test she could, the results however weren't encouraging. "Teal'c's symbiote is dying," she reported. "I can't explain why."

Jack looked to Teal'c; a transparent plastic curtain surrounded his bed. "Teal'c, what about that…. Kel'no'reem thing?" He asked his friend and saw him weakly shake his head.

Hammond looked to Janet. "Is he having hallucinations like Dr. Jackson?"

"No," she answered. "His dopamine levels are normal. Besides, Daniel didn't have the same physical symptoms. They seemed to be unrelated."

Jack hated asking the next question, but he did anyway. "What are we talking about, time wise?"

"Without another symbiote… a day… two, maybe less," she paused. "Even if we found another larval Goa'uld in time, there's not telling if it would survive." She revealed.

A nurse rushed into the room. "Dr. Fraiser, come quickly!" She insisted. "It's Dr. O'Neill."

Janet raced out of the room with Jack hot on her heals, rushing into ICU.

Sam and a nurse were holding Cali down, she was convulsing. Janet hurried over to them. "Keep the Colonel back," she told Sam.

The Major moved quickly, grabbing her CO she pulled him back. "Sir, please, let Janet help her."

He nodded and they stepped out of the room, he shoved his hands into his pants pockets to stop Sam from seeing them shaking, pacing back and forth. He'd lost one child; he wasn't going to lose another.

Sam didn't know what to say to him, the pain in his eyes was unbearable. "Sir," she stopped him pacing by taking his arm. "Cali is going to be fine"

"You don't know that, Major."

"No, sir, I don't, but I have faith Janet will do everything she can," she said calmly.

Jack could have kicked himself for that remark; he ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm sorry, Sam."

"It's okay, sir," she gave his arm a gentle squeeze, giving him a warm smile.

He smiled back and then drew her into his arms, hell it wasn't protocol, but he didn't care. His daughter was fighting for her life and he needed someone to understand what he was going through.

Sam closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she shouldn't have; she knew that, but being held by him. Feeling his arms around her, it sent shivers up her spine.

They stayed that way for a few minutes longer, and then he pulled away. "Thanks."

"You're welcome, sir," she said making it sound normal enough.

Inside the room, Janet had found out the problem was the antibiotic's, Cali was allergic to them, changing them had solved the problem; a sedative was now letting her rest. She rubbed the young woman's shoulder as the sedative began to work. "That's it sweetheart, relax," she whispered and smiled warmly when she saw Cali's eyes flicker open. "Hi there."

"Janet," she looked up at her, her eyes a little glassy. "Daniel?" She asked weakly.

"He's not here, honey," she said after a moment's hesitation. Janet looked to the nurse across from her. "Get Colonel O'Neill."

"Yes Ma'am," the nurse said and hurried out.

Cali tired to focus. "No," she tried again, seeing her father come into her line of sight. "Dad…"

Jack took her hand, being careful of the IV. "I'm here honey."

She licked her dry lips, trying to keep her eyes open, her vision blurred. "Daniel…" she let her eyes close, "right… dad."

He frowned, seeing Janet shake her head in confusion. Leaning over he kissed his daughter's forehead. "Rest sweetheart. Daniel is fine."

Janet pulled a stool over and pushed him down onto it. "Stay as long as you like, Colonel."

"Thanks doc."

She patted his shoulder and walked out, quietly giving her nurses instructions.

Sam followed her friend out of the room. "What happened?"

"Cali had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic's we had her on, I've changed them and her vitals are improving." She rubbed her stiff neck. "I just wish I could help Teal'c that easily."

"You're doing the best you can, Janet." Sam assured her.

"Sometimes it doesn't seem enough, Sam," she told her and walked away.

Doctor MacKenzie, two aides and a nurse entered Daniel's room; the archaeologist had woken and demanded to see him. He'd let him wait, hoping he would settle down, which he had. He seemed calmer, sitting there against the wall.

"Dr. Jackson," the doctor tried getting his attention.

Daniel ignored him for a moment, trying to get his thoughts together. "Just uh… one second."

"Look Daniel, it's time for your meds." MacKenzie informed him flatly.

"Uh, I don't, uh…" he pushed himself up against the wall to stand and moved over to the corner, backing into it to get away from them. "I don't need any more drugs. What I need is to get the ones you've got in my system out of my system."

"No Daniel, you need rest."

"I think I've rested enough," Daniel contradicted. "Just tell me one thing, is Teal'c sick?"

"Not that I'm aware of," MacKenzie answered him dryly, taking the syringe off the nurse. "I haven't been to the SGC." In frustration, Daniel hit the wall. "Dr. Jackson, I insist you calm yourself, otherwise I'll have to have you restrained and further sedated."

"Why are you so quick to jump to the conclusion I'm crazy? That I'm dangerous, I'm out of control?" He asked, and then answered his own questions. "It's 'cause I'm kinda acting that way, aren't I?" He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I just… I just need to get these drugs out of my system. Look, Doctor, I know you probably hear this from patients all the time, but I think I'm cured."

MacKenzie sighed. "You're right, I hear it all the time," he remarked. "I'm afraid it doesn't work that way. You don't get well from something like this overnight."

Keeping them in front of him, Daniel moved away from the corner to the wall, trying to reason with the doctor. "You do if there was an alien organism inside of you making you think that you were sick when you really weren't."

"And you… found this out…how?"

"Ma'chello told me."

MacKenzie was skeptical. "Ma'chello?"

"He's an alien old man we met on P3C-599."

"Dr. Jackson, you haven't had any visitors other then SG-1."

"No, of course I haven't," Daniel, said matter of fact. "You see Ma'chello is dead."

"Dead? Yet he told you there was someone inside you making you appear crazy?"

Daniel thought about that. "That's a good point," he declared. "I wouldn't, uh, I wouldn't buy that if I were you either," he said still jittery. "Just do me a favor, ok? Contact the SGC, find out if Teal'c is sick. If he is," he pointed a finger at the doctor, "promise me you'll let me talk to Jack O'Neill."

MacKenzie considered it. "All right Dr. Jackson, but if Teal'c isn't sick, then you take your meds."

Feeling like he'd accomplished something, Daniel agreed. "All right."

MacKenzie handed back the syringe and left with the aides and the nurse, locking the door again.

Daniel slid down the wall and rested his head against it, closing his eyes. He should have asked to see Cali too, he should have, but the damn drugs in his system were making him feel off balance. He couldn't concentrate. He needed to concentrate. She hadn't been there when the rest of SG-1 had come to visit him; it had just been Jack, Sam and Teal'c. Why hadn't she come? Unless she was still off world with SG-2, that was possibly it. He was still debating that and the problem at hand when a while later, the door opened and Jack came into the room, the door was closed behind him. Daniel got to his feet.

"Hey Daniel." Jack greeted, a little hesitant.

"You don't uh… you don't need to walk on eggshell any more," he informed and paced a little. "I'm better."

"So I hear. Ah, it's not that I doubt you, but, um, why do you think it's happened all of a sudden?" He asked, debating whether he should say something about Cali.

"I don't completely understand it myself, but …" He stopped pacing. "I saw something come out of me and go into Teal'c and then I heard Ma'chello's voice."

"Uh, Ma'chello?" Jack said skeptical.

"Just… just hear me out," Daniel insisted. "I'm guessing it wasn't actually Ma'chello, it was probably some sort of technological or organic recording. And it said something about delivering Ma'chello to the vile Goa'uld, which made me think. Maybe I had some sort of … Goa'uld killing invention inside of me," he theorized. "One of Ma'chello's inventions."

"And that's what made you…nuts?"

"Well since I don't have a Goa'uld, a side effect of this invention must make normal people act like they're…" He gestured with his hand.

"Nuts," Jack mouthed and whispered at the same time.

"Schizophrenic," Daniel corrected. "Look, Teal'c is sick, right?"

Jack nodded. "Right."

"Well," Daniel said bluntly. "He does have a Goa'uld."

Seeing sense in that, Jack banged on the viewing panel of the door and the aide opened it. "Get Dr. MacKenzie and Dr. Jackson's clothes." He saw the man wasn't moving, raising his voice. "Now!"

The door was shut again. Daniel moved closer to his friend. "Jack, where's Cali, is she back?"

"Umm, Daniel," he hesitated, deciding to just get this over and done with. "Look Daniel, Cali and SG-2 were ambushed, she was hit by a staff weapon in the stomach, her vest was undone and she took the full blunt of the blast."

Daniel's eyes filled with pain. "Is she…" he couldn't finish his sentence. "Oh God."

"No Daniel," Jack grabbed him by the shoulders. "She's holding her own, Ferretti got her back to the SGC and into Dr. Fraiser's care."

The door opened and MacKenzie walked in, the aide behind him with Daniel's belongings. "Colonel, what's the meaning of this?"

Jack grabbed the stuff off the aide, handing it to Daniel. "We're leaving, I'm taking Daniel back to the SGC with me."

"You can't do that, Colonel."

Daniel forced a smile. "Actually he can," he pointed out. "I gave Jack power of attorney, in case of situations like this came up."

Jack looked back to the man, smug. "See, now if you'll get the paper work sorted out while Danny boy here takes a shower and cleans up, then we'll be leaving."

MacKenzie huffed and walked out, telling the aide to see to Daniel's needs.

Leaving the padded room behind him, Daniel was aloud to shower and managed to shave without cutting himself, he dressed and met Jack at the nurse's station, putting his glasses back on, the hospital bracelet was removed and his personnel processions returned to him. He let Jack take responsibility and sign him out; they left the hospital, driving back to the mountain in Jack's truck.

Jack kept stealing glances at him. "Are you sure you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," he reassured. "I'll be even better once these drugs are out of my system and I've seen Cali."

The Colonel gripped the steering wheel tightly enough to turn his knuckles white. "Look, Daniel, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have let MacKenzie take you to that place."

"It's okay, Jack, you didn't have much of a chose."

"I could have fought harder, I should have fought harder," he punched the steering wheel and pulled the truck over stopping, they weren't that far from the mountain now. He had to do this now before they got there.

Daniel was confused. "Jack, what's wrong?"

"She was pregnant, Daniel," he said quietly, but couldn't look him in the eye.

"Who?"

"Cali."

Daniel felt like he couldn't breath, his Cali was pregnant. Jack had said 'was'? That meant. Oh God! "Did she…Oh God Jack," he felt torn between wanting to scream and sob uncontrollably. "I didn't know, she… oh God, she didn't know either."

"That's what Janet guessed," he said flatly. "She doesn't know, she hasn't been conscious long enough to tell her." He looked over to his friend, who sat there stunned. "I don't think she's strong enough yet to hear it anyway."

Sitting there, Daniel hugged himself, squeezing his eyes shut as the first tears slid down his face, he couldn't stop them and he didn't want to stop them. Opening his eyes, he took off his glasses and put them on the dashboard.

Jack undid his seatbelt and moved closer, drawing the young man into his arms after releasing his belt. "I'm sorry, Danny, I'm so sorry." He whispered, rubbing his back, letting him unload his grief, while he bottled his own inside. He had to be strong, strong for Daniel and eventually Cali.

After a few minutes, Daniel pulled back and wiped his tear-streaked face on his shirtsleeves, putting his glasses back on. "We should get going."

"Yeah," Jack moved back behind the wheel and pulled the truck back onto the road.

At the mountain they passed through all the checkpoints, parking the truck, they took the elevator deep into the mountain. Janet was waiting for the two of them, ushering them both to the infirmary she had tests she wanted to run on Daniel and she knew he'd want to see his life partner.

Cali looked to her father, her real father; she smiled a little as she did. "Daniel is here." She stated, she didn't know how she knew that, she just did.

"Yes," he said warmly. "It's time for me to go, you're going to be all right."

"Do you have to leave?" She asked him.

"Yes, but we'll see each other again, I've been keeping tabs on you," he mused.

"Really?"

"Really," he drew her into his arms. "You're going to be all right, honey. Even when you think you're not, you will be. You're going to have to trust me on this."

"Okay," she agreed and hugging him back. "Will I remember any of this?"

He kissed her forehead. "No sweetheart," he informed. "Goodbye Princess."

Janet walked into the room with a file, seeing Daniel standing near Teal'c's bed, the Jaffa was still very sick. "Your dopamine levels are back to normal," she reported.

"I'm… back to normal," he said sternly, his arms crossed against his chest. He'd gone to see Cali; he'd sat at her bedside and held her hand, feeling useless, just as he did now.

"Let's just say your concept about Ma'chello's Goa'uld killing invention is right," Sam theorized, "why did it take so long to go into Teal'c?"

"I don't know," he answered honestly. "Maybe it needed a close proximity to sense his Goa'uld larva." He saw they were going to take some convincing. "Look, I had a lot of time locked in that little room to think about this. It makes sense. Why am I back to normal and coincidentally, hours after touching me, Teal'c is sick?"

"All right," Jack agreed, purposing his own question. "Why didn't I get sick when we were playing cards the other night in the VIP quarters and you were jumping all over me?"

"Because last I heard you don't have a Goa'uld larva." Daniel answered bluntly.

"All right," Janet intervened, the emotions of both men were pretty raw. "Daniel, look, we ran every test we have. MRI, CAT scans, x-rays, full blood workup. There's nothing foreign in Teal'c or his symbiote."

He uncrossed his arms. "It's there. I know it! I saw it."

"Daniel, those bodies had only been there a month," Sam pointed out, referring to the nine dead Linvris. "Ma'chello's been dead for six months. How could he be responsible?"

"What if he planted those killing devices there six months ago or a year ago, and the Linvris walk into there meeting and…"

"Like… a land mine." Jack suggesting starting to see sense in Daniel's reasoning as Sam walked over to the computer.

Daniel nodded. "Yes. World War One mines are still going off in France today even though the soldiers that planted them are long since dead."

"You think Ma'chello made this thing, right?" Sam asked him.

"Right."

"Well we crated off everything in Ma'chello's laboratory to Area 51 and it's all in our database," she informed. "Lets see if we can find something that looks familiar." She suggested, calling up imagers of Ma'chello's inventions as they all gathered around.

"Right there!" Jack announced after a few pictures were brought up. "Right there, back it up."

She returned to the picture of a table and page turning device.

"I picked that up in the Linvris chamber," Daniel stated.

"Why did he make so many page turning devices?" Janet asked as Sam brought up another picture of the devices.

"Could be our land mine," she purposed. "I'll have them brought over from Area 51."

"Tell them to use quarantine procedures, we don't need anybody else getting sick from these things." Janet ordered.

Sam nodded and got up, leaving the room.

Daniel looked away from the computer to Jack, seeing the older man was still hiding his grief. "I'm going to see Cali," he said, needing to get away. He slipped out of the room. Going back to ICU, he went in, nodding to the nurse who was on duty. He sat down next to the bed and took Cali's hand in his, being careful of the IV. Janet had given him a good run down on his life partners injures and the miscarriage. "I'm sorry, Cali, I'm so sorry," he whispered.

"Not… not your fault," she murmured and her eyes flickered open. She focused on him, her sight becoming clearer.

He lent over and kissed her lips, resting his forehead against hers. "I should have been here."

"You wouldn't have… you wouldn't have been able… to do anything," she told him.

He squeezed his eyes shut, she was right. He sat up opening his eyes, noting the nurse had slipped out of the room. He concentrated on his life partner. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore."

"I'm sure Janet can give you something for the pain," he said giving her a forced smile.

She knew something was wrong. "Daniel… what is it?"

He shook his head. "Nothing," he chocked out.

With some effort, she raised her hand and brushed a tear that escaped and slid down his cheek. "You're crying."

"I'm happy you're alive," he lied.

"No," she slowly shook her head. "It's …" she licked her lips. "It's more then that."

Daniel got a few ice chips from a cup and gave them to her, which she grateful accepted. He heard Janet enter the room the tapping from heals on her shoes giving her away. He took Cali's hand in his again. "What do you remember happening?"

"You're… you're evading my question," she noted and looked passed him to Janet. "What's wrong?"

Janet hesitated, seeing Daniel nodded, she told her. "You miscarried, Cali. There was nothing we could do."

She'd been pregnant. Oh God. She'd been pregnant. She squeezed her eyes shut, but the tears escaped them anyway and a sob tore from her throat.

Daniel lent over and gently gathered her in his arms, holding her as she cried. "I'm sorry, Cal, I'm so sorry," he whispered.

Janet quickly made a few notes on the young woman's chart and then gave her something for the pain, injecting it straight into the IV port, before slipping out of the room; she didn't want them to see how much this was upsetting her too. She ran straight into Jack.

He caught her as she stumbled. "Hey doc, you all right?" He asked concerned, seeing she looked like she was ready to fall apart.

"No," she answered.

He ushered her into one of the empty rooms, pulling her into his arms as the tears started. "Let it go, doc," he told her and she did, sobbing in his arms. He held her, gently rubbing her back. They'd all be affected by what had happened, one or another.

When she was finished she pulled away, accepting the handkerchief he offered. "Thank you, Sir."

He shrugged, feeling a little awkward. "I take it Cali knows?"

Janet nodded. "She seemed to know something was wrong."

He'd figured she would. "How are they holding up?"

"Cali is crying and Daniel is comforting her," she rubbed her temples. "He needs to let go too."

"He did doc, on the way here," Jack revealed.

"What about you, Colonel?" She asked him. "It was your grandchild."

He shrugged again, feeling empty inside. "When this is over, I'm going to head home and have a quiet night with a bottle of 'JD'."

She knew that wasn't the answer. "How about dinner with Cassie and I and a friend to talk too?"

Jack smiled half-heartedly. Janet had adopted the little girl – Cassandra, they'd found on Hanka (P8X-987), he, Sam, Daniel, Cali and Teal'c all visited as much as work allowed, considering the little girl part of their family. "I'd like that, doc," he accepted. "On one condition."

"And what would that be, Colonel?"

"We drop the ranks, no sir, doc, Colonel, Captain. Just Jack and Janet," he insisted.

"I can do that, Sir," she agreed and managed a smile. "As soon as this is over, we'll do it."

"Gotta yourself a date, doc," Jack smirked and walked out of the room.

Janet found herself blushing, the damn man was flirting with her and he knew it. Taking a deep breath, she walked out too. She still had work to do.

General Hammond walked quietly into the private infirmary room; he didn't want to wake the doctor if she was sleeping. Jacob had made a quick visit back, being filed in about the PTD's, he'd also used the healing device on Cali, he hadn't completely healed her, but he'd done some good.

Seeing she wasn't asleep, the General went further in, giving her a friendly smile. She looked a lot better, but according to Dr. Fraiser, she still had healing to do. "Hello Dr. O'Neill."

"General."

He went in further, sitting beside her bed, he knew Daniel was in the observation room of the lab watching the Colonel, Dr. Fraiser and Major Carter investigate the PTD's. So he'd decided to visit. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore, tired," she managed a small smile. "Janet said I was lucky."

"You were."

"How is Teal'c?" She asked, having heard the full story.

"He isn't any better, but hopefully we'll know something soon," the General said optimistically.

Cali licked her lips, the nasal cannula itched her nose, but Janet had told her it had to remain for the time being. "Dad came and saw me, he said Jacob and the rest of SG-2 were all right."

"They're fine, Major Ferretti and his men came in after you were shot and took out the Jaffa, they patched you up and then the Major picked you up and carried you back to the Stargate and half way to the infirmary," Hammond told her. "I had to order him to leave the infirmary to sleep."

She smiled again. "Lou thinks of me as a kid sister."

"They all do, at one stage I had every team leader in the infirmary just waiting for news," he revealed. "I wouldn't be surprised if you don't start getting get well cards and plenty of visitors very soon." He took her hand in his, being careful of the IV. "You've made quiet an impression around here Cali and SG-1 wouldn't be the same without you."

"Even though I'm not officially part of SG-1," she said, amusement in her brown eyes.

He chuckled at that. "I'd hate to see anyone say your weren't, kiddo. Every man and woman on this base knows your SG-1's fifth member."

"Thank you General."

"You're welcome, Cali."

She smiled at his use of her first name; it was rare. "Janet said Jacob used the healing device on me, I don't remember him being here."

"It was a quick trip, he said if he had more time, he could of done a lot more." Hammond told her.

She nodded her head slowly. "I'll thank him, the next time I see him."

They both heard Daniel's voice over the intercom: "General Hammond to B-Hazmat Observation right away!"

Hammond sighed and stood. "Sounds like they found something."

"Tell them to be careful, Sir."

"I will, now you get some rest," he ordered.

"Yes, Sir," she agreed and watched him walk out.

Lou Ferretti pocked his head round the door a few minutes later. "Up for a few visitors?"

She nodded. "Sure."

He came in along with the rest of his team; they all came baring gifts and cards. The on duty nurse warned them not to be too noisy, they promised not to be.

"You know, I'm real sorry about what happened, kiddo," Lou told her.

"It wasn't your fault," she said softly.

"We didn't mean for you to get hurt," Captain Shanks, Lou's 2IC stated.

"I know, Andy, it could of happened if SG-1 had been out there," she assured.

He handed her a teddy bear dressed in fatigues. "You just get better, we kinda like having you around."

"I will," she said smiling, despite the pain in her heart, the warm smiles they all gave her, healed it a little.

General Hammond arrived at the observation room to find out there had been a breach; he'd ordered Dr. Warner there and containment and integrity scans done. Dr. Fraiser and the Colonel had been infected, as had Major Carter, but the Major had immunity thanks to Jolinar and the organisms came out of her dead. Which gave her the idea of using her blood. Which lead to the idea from Dr. Fraiser, who helped as much as she could, even though the organisms inside her were making her see and hear things that weren't real. Once Dr. Warner realized what Dr. Fraiser was suggesting with the blood the Major had drawn from herself, he had her follow his directions very carefully. Now it was time to see if they were right.

In the laboratory Sam finished putting the treated blood into two syringes.

"Looks good," Warner told her over the intercom. "Pick your first patient."

Picking up the tray, Sam went over to Janet, kneeling beside her. "This was your idea," she told her barely conscious friend. "You gonna be first?" She didn't expect an answer, she just gave her the injection and then taking the tray she went over to Jack, who was also lying on the floor. She rolled him onto his back.

Jack looked up at her, spaced out. "You look terrible."

She chuckled a little. "Thank you, Sir. I need to give you a shot, will you let me do that?" She saw him wave his hand and gave it too him, dropping the empty syringe on the tray she hurried over to Janet, who was having a response. "Janet?"

"Uh, I'm hearing…"

"Hearing Ma'chello?" She asked.

"Yeah. Aha!" she cried out in pain, lifting her head the creatures dripped out of her ear.

It was happening to Jack too, he got up, picking one up; he looked at it and then flicked it away in disgust.

In the observation room, Warner, Hammond and Daniel smiled in relief, as those in the laboratory were grinning happily. "All right people," the General said over the intercom, "lets get Teal'c cured."

"Yes sir." Janet agreed happily and she and Sam got to work. When they had the protein ready, Hammond and SG-1 gathered around Teal'c bed.

"Well, I don't know if this is going to work." Janet announced as she injected the protein directly into Teal'c's IV. "He'll have the marker, but he'll still have a Goa'uld larva." She disposed of the syringe. "It depends on how smart Ma'chello made the little beggars." She moved around the others, as they looked on concerned, going to the other side of the bed, one of her nurse handed her the suction hose and she waited.

Teal'c groaned in pain and then opened his eyes. "Ma'chello." He whispered.

The dead organism that had caused so many problems and so much pain; dripped out of his ear and was sucked up by Janet, who handed the suction back to the nurse. Teal'c breathed easily.

Sam put her hand on is shoulder. "Welcome back, Teal'c."

"Thank you, Major Carter," he looked to Daniel. "You are well, Daniel Jackson?"

"Yes, Teal'c, sorry about that," he apologized. "I infected you when you grabbed me."

"The fault was not yours Daniel Jackson," the Jaffa assured. "How is Cali O'Neill?"

"She's doing much better, thanks, Teal'c," Daniel, answered, a little anguish to return to her. "I'll, um go and let her know you're all right."

Teal'c bowed his head a little and the linguist left, noting something once he was gone. "Daniel Jackson is in pain still."

Janet was concerned. "What do you mean, Teal'c?"

"Not physical pain, but emotional."

She looked across to Jack, who stood with his hands in his pants pockets, seeing him nod, sadly.

Sam looked from one to the other. "Sir, Janet's what's going on?"

Jack hesitated for a brief moment and then answered her. "Cali had a miscarriage."

"Oh God, Colonel, I'm sorry."

"As am I, O'Neill." Teal'c told him.

"Yeah," he pulled his hands free. "I'll see you late Teal'c," he said and then walked out not waiting for a reply.

Sam went after him. "Sir. Colonel?"

"Not now, Major."

She didn't give up. "Maybe if you talked about it, Sir…"

Jack shook his head as he stopped her. "I don't won't to talk about it, Major," he said a little hasher then he wanted to. "I want to forget and move on. Now leave me alone." He ordered and walked away.

Sam just stood there, hurt by his words, she was only trying to help.

"He doesn't mean it, Major," General Hammond said reassuringly. He'd heard the whole thing. "Give him time, seeing his daughter in pain has affected him more then he's going to admit too."
She knew that. "Yes, Sir."

In Cali's room, the nurse assigned to her had slipped out to give her and Daniel some privacy. Seated beside his life partner's bed, Daniel had told her Teal'c was fine.

Cali stroked her thumb across his hand as she held it. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"If I'd known I was pregnant…" tears welled in her eyes. "I would never have gone."

Daniel knew they couldn't live with 'what ifs'; it would eat them up inside. "Yes, you would have and I'm guessing, but I'd say Janet would have let you go." Her brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. "Your healthy and fit and there would have been no reason not to let you go."

She knew that too, it didn't stop the tears. "I want us to have a child, Daniel."

"I know," he lent over and kissed her forehead. "And I want us to have one," he told her. The grief he felt was coming back to the surface. "I want to be able to bring Sha're home and introduce her to our son or daughter." He squeezed his eyes shut and the tears escaped; he opened them again, not caring. "Do you remember on Abydos, you asked me if Sha're and I had discussed having a child?"

She nodded. "You said you had time."

"We'd been trying," he admitted. "And it looked as if it wasn't going to happen."

"Oh Daniel," she cupped his cheek. "I'm so sorry."

He removed his glasses and wiped his eyes and then put them back on, determination flared in his blue eyes. "That's not going to happen with us, we're going to have a child. You and me, when the time is right again, it will happen."

She nodded, unable to speak. She pulled him down into her arms and they cried together, grieving for the child they'd lost and the pain of still not having their partner back with them.

When Janet came to check on her patient, Daniel was hunched over asleep, his head on his crossed arms, his glasses laying folded on Cali's chest, she was slowly stroking his hair, seemingly in a daze. Janet remembered when Daniel had cut his hair; it had caused quite a stir in the infirmary, all of her nurse, even some of the male ones had commented on it. Then again whenever Daniel was ill or injured and in the infirmary, Janet never had a problem finding nurses to nurse him. Even if each and every one of them knew he was taken.

Cali glanced over, having heard the doctor come in, even though she'd tried to be quiet. "Hey doc?"

Janet went further into the room. "Everything all right?" She asked keeping her voice down.

The younger woman nodded. "I guess he hasn't gotten all the drugs out of his system yet."

The doctor in Janet became instantly alerted, checking Daniel's pulse at his neck, finding it steady and strong. She moved her hand as he woke and lifted his head.

"Janet?"

"Sorry Daniel, I didn't mean to wake you."

"No that's okay," he said putting his glasses back on.

She saw the red-rimmed eyes. "Are you okay?"

Nodding, Daniel managed a smile. "Yeah," he said, feeling like he was.

"All right," she patted his shoulder. "Try and get a good nights sleep, in a bed," she advised, knowing him well enough. "I'd like you here when we get this one on her feet tomorrow morning."

Cali actually managed to blush. "I like falling into his arms."

"I know," Janet said grinning. "That's why I have him here."

"Hey," Daniel spoke up. "He is still here."

"We know," both women said chuckling.

Janet saw Cali wince. "All right that's enough. Daniel, go get some rest."

He didn't argue; getting up he lent over and kissed Cali lightly on the lips. "I'll see you tomorrow."

"I'll be here," she promised.

"If you need me, get the nurse to call, I'm going to stay on base," he told her and she gave a nod.

"No work, Daniel, rest," Janet, ordered.

He gave her a weary smile and reluctantly left.

Janet sat where he had. "Do you want anything for the pain?"

"No, its fine," Cali assured. "It's not too bad now."

"You're a rotten liar, Cali, but I won't push you," she remarked. "If it gets too bad, ask the nurse."

"I will."

Satisfied, Janet stood and left herself. She wanted to go home and be with her daughter. On her way out, after having spoken to General Hammond, she happened to pass by Colonel O'Neill's office, noticing the door was half open; the room was mostly in darkness. She slowly pushed it the rest of the way open. "Colonel?"

The desk light came on; he'd been sitting there in the dark. "Yeah?"

"Is everything all right, Colonel?" She asked crossing the threshold.

"Everything's fine," he dismissed and stood. "I'm heading home."

She saw he was all ready in civvies, but she had a feeling she knew why he was sitting in the dark. "This wasn't your fault, Colonel. None of it."

He was going to contradict her but thought better of it. "They're my team, doc and they're family. When one hurts we all hurt."

"I know, Colonel," she said silently amused that he considered his own daughter part of his team. "Get some rest, Sir."

"You too, doc."

"I was on my way out, Colonel."

"Well in that case, I'll escort you to your car, doctor." He said gentlemanly.

"Thank you, Colonel," she said excepting. "Would you like to join Cassie and I for dinner, Sir?"

"Not tonight, doctor," he answered. "I think I might just go home and go to bed."

"Yes, Sir."

"Don't worry, doc, I won't hit the bottle."

"I wasn't thinking you would, Sir," she declared.

"Yes, you were," he corrected.

He was right; she was thinking that, especially after what he'd told her before. "I'm sorry, Sir."

"That's all right, doc."

They signed out and walked to her car.

"Thank you, Colonel," Janet told him.

"No problem, Dr. Fraiser, see you tomorrow." He bided.

"Yes, Sir."

He left her after she got into her car and walked over to his truck, getting in he drove home, doing it almost on autopilot. Which wasn't unusual for him at times, he was starting to think his truck knew it's own way home.

When he pulled into the driveway, he was starting to believe it; he didn't remember the drive at all. Shaking his head he got out and went inside, turning lights on as he went.

He was cleaning up from dinner when he heard the doorbell; he opened the door. "Carter."

She seemed a little nervous. "Hi, Sir."

"What are you doing here, Major?"

"Umm, can I come in?" She asked.

He sighed and stepped out of the way, shutting the door. "Do you want a beer?"

"Yeah sure, thank you, Sir."

He gestured for her to go into the living room, grabbing two beers from the fridge, he joined her, handing her the beer before sitting down. "So who rang you, Hammond or Fraiser?" He asked.

"Janet," she answered. "She thought you might need a friend."

"I'm fine," he said bluntly.

"Yes, Sir," she put the unopened bottle of beer on his coffee table. This had been stupid. "I'm sorry, Sir, I'll go."

"Carter, sit down and have your beer," he ordered. "You may as well."

She did so. "Yes, Sir."

Sitting back, Jack took a swig of his. "So what else did the doc, say?"

"Nothing much, just that she though you'd like a friend to talk too." Sam admitted.

"Talking is something I don't do too well, Major. Even when I have too," he remarked dryly.

"I'm surprised, Sir, Cali said you taught at the local high school before being recalled to service," she commented, grinning mischievously.

"Yeah, well my daughter happens to have a big mouth," he grumbled.

She chuckled and sipped her beer. "She cares for you."

"I know."

"What was it like, Sir," Sam asked him finally, "when you first brought her home?"

He smiled, a little melancholy. "The drive home was something, she'd never been in a car before, so my truck was an experience," he revealed remembering. "We got home and she couldn't believe the house was where she was going to be living. She went from room to room, picking up things, asking questions." He paused. "Everything was so amazing to her, even the simple things," he picked at the label on his bottle. "She'd spent a month at the mountain before I was allowed to bring her home, Catherine taught her English and the basic's, however she only had contact with Catherine and the other scientists, she'd find something and bombard them with questions, then when I'd came to see her, she'd tell me all about it. Here at home she was the same, poor Mike, the first week he was here, I think he actually thought he'd bitten off more then he could chew. Not to mention he used to blush a lot, a whole lot."

Sam smiled at that. "When I arrived for that first briefing and I saw her," she didn't tell him how she'd first felt, walking into the conference room that first time, concentrating on his daughter. "I kept asking myself who this girl was and why was she there? And then she said she was your daughter and I thought 'no kidding', the two of you look so much a like. When the General said she was from Abydos, I couldn't believe it. I even recommended she'd be removed from the mission, but the General said no and he told me about her, how she'd learnt so much in such a short amount of time."

"My human sponge," Jack chuckled. "She socked up so much information in that first year, I thought she was going to short circuit, but she just wanted to learn."

"We're always learning, Colonel, all the time."

"Not like this," he contradicted.

Sam wandered about that, tucking the information away for later, when she could talk to Janet about it.

Jack picked once more at the label, not even noticing she was watching him. "The scariest thing, was seeing her with a HK in her hands, when they freed us from Ra," he said a little haunted. "They had no fear, none of them and they were just kids."

"The General told me she disarmed an airman in the Gate room to prove she could handle going back to Abydos." Sam told him.

He nodded. "I wanted her on the team and she proved she could do it, but I made sure she could defend herself, right from the moment she'd settled here on Earth because I knew I wouldn't always be there for her, I just never expected her to have to go up against Goa'uld or Jaffa frequently though."

"Well it explains why she was so at ease that first time you put her, Daniel and Teal'c through weapons training and PT."

"Regular little soldier, my girl," he retorted a little sarcastically.

Sam knew the sarcasm was to cover the pain. "Archaeologist, Colonel. She like's playing with artifacts, not guns."

He chuckled. "Both she and Daniel like rocks over guns."

"I wouldn't let them hear you call their artifact's rocks, Sir," she mussed and saw him smile, adding. "They're both passionate about their work."

"Obsessive is more like it, when they get going, they forget about everything, including to eat at times."

Sam chuckled. "They seem to think they can survive on coffee and energy bars that are smoothed in chocolate."

"They do have the best coffee on the base, though," he said with a mischievous smirk. "I've even seen the General sneak down there and grab a cup."

His 2IC laughed. "He hasn't?"

"Oh yeah," he grinned and they both laughed.

"They're going to be all right, Colonel." Sam told him when they settled down.

"I hope so, Carter, they've been through so much in the last three years."

"Yes, Sir they have and I'm guessing, but I'd say until they get Sha're back, they keep putting themselves through it." Sam stated bluntly.

Jack knew she was right. "Which is why we're going to look out for them, Major."

"Yes, Sir, we are," she agreed. "They're family."

Three weeks later:

Cali O'Neill sat back and looked once more at the translation she'd wrote down, she didn't flinch at the strong hands that rubbed the tension from her shoulders. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the attention, feeling the tension go. Sighing she opened her eyes. "Thanks."

Daniel smiled and kissed the top of her head. "You're welcome." He glanced over her shoulder at what she'd written, when the Tok'ra had asked his life partner to return to P3X-449 after her recovery, he'd told them not without him and Lou Ferretti had volunteered the services of SG-2 seconds after Jack had announced his archaeologists weren't going anywhere without the rest of their team. The General had just smiled and given them all permission to go. That had been a week ago.

"Is dad still grumbling about not having his fishing rod?" Cali inquired with a smirk.

"Yep, I think Sam is just about ready to brain him," Daniel remarked with a grin and they both chuckled. "Maybe we should suggest he ask the General to send it through."

"Or we could just send him home," she suggested lightly, knowing that would never happen.

"We'd have to tie him up and gage him, then throw him through the wormhole to do that," he commented, sitting behind her, his legs either side of her so she sat between them.

"Interesting vision you just gave me there, Dr. Jackson."

"Mmm, wasn't it?" He reached around her and pointed to what she'd written down. "That should be of pure 'heart' and mind."

She frowned, looking from the writing on the wall to what she'd written, correcting it. "I guess I'm a little rusty with my Ancient," she said and dismissed her mistake.

"Me too," Daniel declared and his gaze went up the wall. "I can't believe this has been here for thousand years and no one found it."

"It's pretty amazing, but I guess when you don't want something found, then it's not," she noted. "I mean the Tok'ra missed the entire city on their first recon of the planet."

"I guess you're right then," he agreed, and then gave her a gentle squeeze; Janet had made him promise he wouldn't let Cali overwork herself. "How about we call it a day?"

Cali hesitated for a brief moment until she saw the look on his face; he was worried she was pushing herself again. "All right."

Getting to his feet, Daniel; helped Cali to hers after she'd closed her notebook and gathered her equipment together; they walked out of the chamber.

Captain Shanks was waiting at the entrance. "Ready to go Doctor J, Doc?"

"We are, Andy," Cali told him.

He called in. "Base camp, this is Shanks, we're heading back," he reported and then took point. Colonel O'Neill had insisted on making base camp away from the city incase of attack. He and Ferretti had scouted out a good spot about a mile from the city and two miles from the Stargate, so if they had to, they could bug out in a hurry. Though Cali believed her dad had chosen the position because of the lake and falls that were near by.

Teal'c greeted them as they arrived at the camp. "Daniel Jackson, Cali O'Neill. Captain Shanks."

"Teal'c."

"Captain Shanks, Major Ferretti has requested your presence," the Jaffa informed.

"Thanks Teal'c," the Captain said and headed over to his CO to make his report, leaving both doctors in the Jaffa's safe hands.

"O'Neill and Major Carter are at the falls," Teal'c told the two of them. "I believe O'Neill said they were going swimming."

"A swim sounds like a good idea," Cali announced. "I feel grimy."

"So do I," Daniel agreed. "Are you going to join us, Teal'c?"

"I shall keep watch." The Jaffa informed bluntly and then escorted them to the waterfall near their camp after they'd grabbed their towels. Both had gotten use to wearing their swimsuits under their fatigues, since it was the best way to get clean after a day in the chamber. Stripping down to their swimmers (Jack having insisted his daughter wear only one piece swimsuits), they dived in and swam over to Sam and Jack, who were sitting near the falls on rocks.

"You know for a couple of desert rats, you two seem to like water," Jack commented.

"Which is why we do," Daniel bantered back and splashed his friend.

"Was that a challenge, Dr. Jackson?"

Daniel splashed him again. "Up to it Colonel O'Neill?"

"Yeah sure ya betcha," he remarked and splashed back, getting both Daniel and Cali.

On the bank, Teal'c watched his friends and teammates splashing water at each other and laughing. Smiling to himself, he went back to his watch. Knowing they would soon grow tried of it and retreat from the water before it grew dark. And they did an hour later, heading back to camp.

That night after everyone had retired to their tents who weren't on watch, Cali snuck out of the one she was sharing with Sam, grumbling under breath about that, like she did every night and went over to the fire, sitting next to her dad.

"Hey kiddo, what are you doing up?" He asked her.

She huddled into her jacket; the temperature had dropped since the suns had gone down. "I couldn't sleep."

"So what's on your mind?" Jack asked her.

Cali hesitated a little. "Will you tell me about my real father?"

Jack had to admit he'd been waiting for this. "Sure kiddo," he agreed. "He was a lot like you, he cared about people and tired to help everyone."

"Were you close?"

"Yeah we were, no matter what he was my little brother, I loved him," he told her and slipped his arm around her, drawing her close. "He would be very proud of you, Cali."

She snuggled against him. "I wish I'd gotten the chance to know him."

"Me too, kiddo." He said softly and kissed the top of her head. "Why don't you head back to bed and try and get some sleep. When we get home, I'll pull out the photo album and tell you some embarrassing storied about Jake."

"All right, but Sam doesn't like to snuggle," she mused, missing her life partners warm embrace.

"Sorry kiddo, but you know the rules."

"Yeah," she trudged off back to her tent. "Was worth a try though."

Jack chuckled. Oh yeah she was so like his baby brother.

Four months later:

Taking out the last Jaffa guard, SG-1, along with the other SG team, make their way over to the wooden pen where the group of Abydonian's was being held.

"Let's go, move," Jack ordered and while the rest of his team and the others took up defensive positions, Jack placed a charge against the prisons lock. "Clear!" He yelled and ducked as the charge blew, startling those captured as the lock broke apart. He opened the door. "Let's go. Come on folks. Move out…" he ordered and ushered the people out, more Jaffa was on the way, they needed to hurry.

Kasuf was among them; he saw Daniel and Cali together and rushed over to them. "Good son, good daughter, you came."

"Yes good father," Daniel responded. "We got your message."

"She took the boy. She took him," Kasuf told them.

"The boy?" Cali asked.

"The son of my daughter, she took the boy."

"Come on Daniel, Cali, we've gotta go!" Jack yelled to them.

Daniel ignored him and spoke to Kasuf. "You said she took him?"

"There," his father-in-law pointed to a tent in the distance. A woman was standing out side it, watching the scene play out, they knew who it was.

"Keep your people together," Daniel told him. "Go with the people of the Tau'ri. Cali will show you the way back to the Chappa'ai."

"Daniel," she protested.

"Cali, go," he told her.

"Fall back!" Jack yelled, seeing the time had come to leave. "Fall back!"

Cali ushered Kasuf and the rest of her people back towards the Stargate, while Daniel ran towards the tent.

"Daniel!" Sam called after him.

Jack saw what was going on, glancing to Teal'c. "Teal'c."

The Jaffa knew what needed to be done and went after Daniel.

As he got closer to Amaunet, Daniel stopped. "Sha're!"

A Jaffa, one of Heru-ur's emerged from the tent, Daniel quickly took aim, empting the full clip of his sidearm into the Jaffa, a second emerged and fired his staff weapon in front of Daniel, knocking him off his feet. Teal'c killed him with one shot, waiting to see what the linguist was going to do next.

Amaunet calmly walked back into the tent, Daniel changed clips in his pistol and scrambled to his feet, making it inside the tent, he pointed his weapon at her.

"Don't move," he warned and moved further in, glancing around the tent. "Where's the boy?"

Amaunet's eye glowed. "Where you and the System Lords will never find him."

"Don't," Daniel ordered as she started lift her hand; armed with a ribbon device, she didn't stop. "Don't!" He aimed the pistol at her, but he couldn't fire, he did see Amaunet; he saw his wife. Amaunet knew it too and activated the ribbon device, slowly Daniel sunk to his knees, feeling as if a knife was being wedged into his skull. "No Sha're, flight it," he begged.

"My host cannot help you."

Outside the tent, Teal'c fired his staff weapon again, cleaning the path for Cali, who had returned. Together they headed for the tent, inside it, Amaunet's eyes glowed as she was slowly killing Daniel.

"Sha're," he begged, in barely a whisper.

Teal'c and Cali rushed in, both aiming their weapons at Amaunet, both seeing Daniel in the ribbon devices grip. Seeing him slowly let go of his sidearm, Cali screamed: "Daniel!"

Daniel slowly regained consciousness, seeing Janet Fraiser come over to him and shine a penlight in his eyes. The General, Sam, and Jack were all gathered around his bedside, Teal'c however hovered in the doorway. The ribbon device had left a burn on his forehead; he could feel it.

"What happened?" He asked confused.

"You don't remember?" Jack asked him.

"I'm not sure," he admitted, wondering where Cali was.

"We were on P8X-873," Sam filled in. "We were freeing the Abydonians whom the Goa'uld had taken as slaves."

"Kasuf sent for us," Jack added.

Now he remembered. "Sha're was there."

Sam hesitated and nodded. "Yeah."

"She's dead Daniel," Jack said bluntly. "I'm sorry."

"How?" He looked at each of them for the answer.

Teal'c spoke up through. "It is I who am responsible," he said with a heavy heart. "I was forced to fire upon and terminate the life of Sha're. However I assure you it was done only to save your life."

"No." Daniel contradicted.

"No?" Sam asked him surprised.

"No. They have a sarcophagus," he stated. "Her guards put her in the sarcophagus, she's still out there somewhere alive." He saw them exchange concerned glances. "What?"

The General looked to Janet. "Doctor, can he be taken out of the infirmary?"

"We'll have to keep his drip in," she announced. "I'll arrange for a wheelchair."

"I'll take him, Sir," Jack volunteered.

"I will accompany you also." Teal'c said.

Daniel just looked at them confused. What the hell was going on? "Where is Cali?"

"I'll show you," Jack promised.

Janet arrived with the wheelchair and he was helped into a blue robe and then into the chair, the IV bag attached to the stand. Jack then wheeled him out and through the corridors with Teal'c following behind them.

Kasuf emerged from one of the corridors, having been following directions.

Daniel saw him. "Kasuf."

"My son," he greeted. "This is a sad dad for us all."

"No," Daniel corrected. "I know this will be difficult for you to understand, Kasuf, but… the demon inside your daughter will help her rise again.

Kasuf looked to the Colonel in astonishment. "Is this true?"

"Not this time," he said softly. "I'm sorry." He wheeled Daniel into the morgue and stopped him at one covered body. Cali was standing on the other side, she made her way round to them as Jack nodded to the orderly, who lifted the sheet back, revealing Sha're's body.

Daniel held back a sob. It was true. "Why didn't you leave her there?" He asked them, his voice full of emotion. "They would have saved her."

"There were no 'they' left." Jack told him, slipping his arm around his daughter.

"We were victorious Daniel Jackson," Teal'c informed. "There was no one remaining to take Sha're to a sarcophagus… We brought Kasuf to prepare her body according to Abydonian tradition."

"The good news is we managed to save most of the Abydonians." Jack told him.

"And for that, we are eternally grateful," Kasuf said.

Daniel managed to stand, gripping the metal table. He touched his wife's face and then looked angrily at Teal'c. "You should have waited longer. I would have gotten through to her."

"She was trying to kill you, Daniel." Cali said, tears sliding down her cheeks.

"No she wasn't, Amaunet was trying to kill me," he snapped, not seeing her flinch.

"I have seen many humans killed by Goa'uld ribbon devices," Teal'c declared. "You would have been dead in mere seconds had I not acted.

"Teal'c did the right thing, Daniel." Jack said calmly.

"I am sorry Sha're is dead," Teal'c said trying to ease the tension. "However, you are my friend and if I had to do it again, I would do the same." He said and turned and walked away.

Daniel sat back down, continuing to stare at Sha're's face. Jack drew his daughter fully into his arms and nodded to the orderly, she sobbed into his shoulder as Sha're's body was recovered. Daniel just continued to stare; he felt nothing but grief and emptiness.

Kasuf came round to Cali, putting his arm around her. "Come good daughter," he said and escorted her out.

Jack took hold of the wheelchair and pushed Daniel out, heading back to the infirmary. "You could of talked to her, you know. Sha're was her life partner."

"She was my wife," Daniel said solemnly.

Biting back a comment, Jack kept walking, not trusting himself to say anything. He got him back to the infirmary and left him in Janet's capable hands, needing to get out of there before he said something he'd regret.

Later that day, Sam went to visit him, walking in she saw Daniel holding up a ballpoint pen, studying it. "Hi."

Daniel looked. "Hi."

She held up a brown paper bag. "I brought you some of those chocolate walnut cookies that you love so much," she said placing the paper bag on the table near his bed.

"Thank you," he said, looking at the pen still. "You ever really study one of these?"

Sam sat on the side of the bed. "A pen?"

He nodded. "I spent half my life studying the written word. Including how various cultures recorded things through the ages. From hammers and chisels, to quills and ink. But I never stopped once to recognize the ingenuity of this simple little piece of technology that we use," he revealed. "After the first team left me on Abydos, Sha're saw me writing in my journal and thought the ballpoint I was using was magic." He saw Sam smile and briefly echoed it. "A little device like this pen was such a wonder to her," his voice started to break and he choked back the grief that threatened to overwhelm him. "The simplest things were a wonder to her."

"The Colonel said the same thing about, Cali," Sam told him, adding. "Daniel, it's healthy to hold onto those memories."

"I couldn't save her," he continued as if he didn't hear her. "All those wonders we have at our disposal and I couldn't save her."

Sam felt the tears that threatened to fall and refused to let them. "You tried, so did Cali."

Daniel nodded and settled back. "I'm just going to get some sleep if you don't mind."

"Okay," she got up, ignoring his abruptness. "Let me know if you need anything, okay?"

"Thank you," he saw her leave and closed his eyes.

He was inundated by a bright blinding light and the noise from a ribbon device, his eyes flew open and he was back in the tent, Amaunet was using the ribbon device on him.

It was Sha're's voice he heard though: "Hear me Daniel."

Daniel slowly woke, disorientated and confused. Seeing Sha're sitting at his bedside, holding his hand. Behind her, Cali had a firm grip on her life partner's shoulder. His focus was on his wife though, she wore green fatigues; the heavy make-up gone and she was like he remembered her, before Amaunet.

Sha're smiled. "Daniel, you're awake," she looked to Janet. "He's awake." She lent glanced back to Cali. "My love he is awake, our Daniel is awake."

Janet smiled happily. "Hey," she greeted him. "How do you feel?"

Daniel hadn't taken his gaze off his wife. "Confused."

"I bet," the doctor said amused. "Can you tell me your name?"

"Daniel Jackson," he answered, not looking away.

"And what's your birthday?" Janet asked him, checking his pulse.

"July 8th. Sha're?"

"Yes husband," she said smiling.

"You're alive."

"I am."

Kasuf came into the room, standing with Cali, Jack and Sam. "As are most of our people, thanks be to you," he praised. "Thanks be to all of you."

"What happened?" Daniel asked confused.

Standing in the doorway, Teal'c answered him. "Cali O'Neill and I found you in the clutches of Amaunet's ribbon device, since Cali was unable to act, I had no recourse but to fire upon Amaunet."

"Then we took Sha're straight to the Tok'ra," Sam explained. "They had a captured sarcophagus and a way to remove the Goa'uld."

Daniel didn't take his eyes off his wife. "Then I was dreaming before."

"What?" Jack asked him.

Sha're lent closer, taking her husband's face in her hands.

"Nothing." Daniel told him.

"Um… maybe we should…" He nodded meaningfully towards the door.

They all agreed. "Glad to see you're ok Daniel." Sam added happily.

Jack steered his daughter towards the door. "He's going to be okay."

"Oh it looks that way, yep," Janet agreed and followed them all out.

Cali was the last to leave, smiling happily at her two life partners before walking out to give them time.

Daniel didn't even take notice that they'd left. "There's so many things I want to say to you," he told his wife. "I don't know where to begin…."

Sha're put a finger to his lips, removing it slowly. "Daniel, I only came to tell you about the boy."

"What about him?" He asked confused.

Sha're frowned, her frown through turned to a more painful expression and she was pulled away, disappearing.

Daniel work with start, the room slowly coming into focus.

Janet looked at him concerned, dismissing the nurse. "Daniel, you okay?"

"No," he answered, unsure. "Is Sha're here?"

"No," she told him, uncertain about what he wanted to know. "Do… do you mean…? We haven't taken her body back to Abydos. Is that what you mean?"

Daniel didn't reply; he just turned away, he'd been dreaming. Dreaming she was alive.

Janet sighed and saw Cali standing in the doorway, going over to her. "You can go see him, honey."

"I don't think he wants to see me," she admitted a little lost.

"Sure he does sweetie," she patted her shoulder and walked out.

Cali walked over to the bed and perched on the edge. "Daniel?"

He looked. "Were you there, when he did it?" He asked her.

She nodded, painfully aware of what he was asking. "He did what I couldn't do," she said emotionally.

Daniel frowned. "He killed Sha're!"

"He saved Sha're, by releasing her from Amaunet," Cali corrected. "Daniel she was a slave in her own body, now she's free."

"She's dead!" He snapped angrily. She tried to console him, but he didn't want her to. "Just go, Cali, please."

Confused and hurt, Cali got up and ran out of the room.

Daniel turned over, he couldn't stay there, not any more, as soon as Janet released him, he was going. Leaving this all behind him, Cali included if need be, he wasn't going to watch her grief and possibly one day lose her too.

So when Janet did release him, he dressed in civilian clothes instead of fatigues and typed out his letter of resignation, taking it and his final mission report to the General's office, knocking on the open door.

Hammond looked up. "Come in," he insisted, seeing whom it was. "Dr. Jackson, good to see you back on your feet."

"Yes, um, Dr. Fraiser just released me."

"Is there something I can help you with, Dr. Jackson?" He asked, seeing there was motive behind the visit.

"Yes, Sir," Daniel handed him the letter from the folder he carried. "I've come to tender my resignation." He handed it over.

"I won't accept it," the General declared taking it.

"I'm not military, Sir," Daniel said with a slight smile, "and it's still a free country. Last I checked anyway." He declared and dropped the mission report on the desk too.

"You're obviously in an emotional state right now," Hammond declared. "You're making rash decisions. Why don't you take some personal time and then see how you feel? You and Dr. O'Neill."

"That's not necessary, Sir," he informed him. "I joined this program so that I could find my wife. I've found her. End of story."

"And Dr. O'Neill?"

"I don't know what Cali is doing, Sir," Daniel admitted. "This was my decision, one I made on my own."

"I see. Very well Dr. Jackson."

With a nod, Daniel left.

When Cali found him he was packing, since they shared the office he was taking only a few things, everything else she was would still need. "So you're just leaving?"

"I found Sha're, now it's time to move on," he told her.

"And us?" She asked, almost not wanting to know his answer.

"I'm not stopping you from working here," he said, not stopping his packing.

"Daniel," she grabbed his arm, her emotions were as raw as his. "I asked what about us? Not if you approved of me working here."

He sighed and faced her, he didn't want to her hurt, he loved her, but being there was too painful. "There can be an 'us', even if I don't work here and you do."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that," he answered. "Right now though, I have to get away from here."

"And go where?" She wanted to know.

"I don't know, a dig somewhere. I need time."

Cali released his arm and stepped back. "What you need to do is forgive Teal'c. He did the right thing and you know it. You're place is here, Daniel, we all now that," she said and walked out.

He sighed and went back to his packing.

An Airman was walking out of the office pushing a moving trolley loaded with boxes when Jack went to see Daniel. "Hey!" He greeted. "You should meet the whiz kid they saddled us with while you were out of commission."

"Robert Rothman," Daniel said, having already known. "He was my research assistant while I was doing my dissertation. Smart guy, had a good teacher."

Jack was playing with a club like artifact, using it like a baseball bat. "Geek."

"Yes, you used to call me that."

"I was talking about you," Jack remarked putting the club down.

"I would have thought having Cali would have been enough, you don't really need Robert with her on the team." Daniel noted.

"Yeah, well, the General reminded me Cali is only an unofficial member of SG-1," Jack stated, sitting down. "So how long are we going to be stuck with this guy?"

"What do you mean?"

"How long are you going to be gone?" Jack asked bluntly.

"Didn't… didn't General Hammond tell you?" Daniel asked him.

"What? That you quit? Yeah he told me that," his friend answered. "But um… come on, we both know you can't stay away."

"Then I guess we're both wrong cause… I'm gone."

"What about Cali?" Jack asked him seriously.

"I'm not stopping her from working here Jack," Daniel informed, going on with his packing.

Jack didn't like that tone. "I'll give you a week. You'll miss me."

Daniel chuckled. "Yes, all the… salty, bad-tempered insults, all the illogical arguments…."

"Okay, you'll miss Carter and Teal'c."

"I'll miss Carter," Daniel said after a moment's hesitation.

Jack saw that. "And you'll miss the excitement. All the new cultures you get to explore, the living history. It's the kind of stuff you can't walk away from."

"Jack." Daniel took a breath. "Up until now every time I stepped foot through that 'Gate', I was thinking about my wife. Maybe I'll see her this time; maybe this is the one… Now every time I go through it'd just be some… place where that hope use to be." He stopped, chocking back the grief. "That's why I can't do it any more. I hope you understand that."

"The SGC may be the single most important human endeavor for the future of mankind," Jack quoted. "Not bad, huh? You said that."

"The SGC will go on without me." Daniel stated.

Jack shook his head and stood. "You know I was wrong about you, Dr. Jackson. I thought you could never hurt my girl, but you can. She's grieving too," he said and walked out.

Daniel thumped the table. Damn it! He was trying to protect Cali. Shoving everything into the box that he wanted, he picked it up and walked out of the office. Heading towards the elevator, when he got there he found Teal'c waiting for him.

"Please get out of my way, Teal'c?" He asked him.

"I will, but you will hear me first."

"I have a pretty good idea what you want to say."

Teal'c felt bad for what he'd done, that was obvious to everyone; everyone except for the grieving husband standing before him. "Is there not some form of human ritual in which I may ask you forgiveness?"

"No." Daniel answered and walked into the elevator, turning he pressed the button, seeing Teal'c turn to face him as the elevator doors closed.

Despite the harsh words Jack had said to Daniel, he went with Sam to help move his belongings back to his apartment along with a couple of airmen from the SGC. One placed a box on the kitchen table.

"Thank you," Daniel said to him.

He nodded and left the same time as Jack, in good humor said with a smile. "You're welcome."

Sam felt awkward. "So?"

"So…"Daniel repeated.

"So, what now?" Jack asked.

"Now I get on with my life," the younger man answered.

"What are you going to do?" Sam inquired.

"Well hopefully I'm going somewhere… far away, the most remote dig I can find." Daniel revealed.

She hadn't expected that. "Are we going to see you again?"

"At the funeral. Now if you'll excuse me, I seem to have a lot to do."

She nodded; going around the table she gave him a hug and a brave smile before walking out.

Jack didn't leave right away. "So," he reached out and shook Daniel's hand. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you," he said a little uncomfortable and then drew the younger man into his arms for a hug. "Dr. Jackson." He whispered and then released him, walking out.

Daniel stood there for a moment; not flinching when he felt the arms that wrapped around him or the body that pressed against his. He knew who it was.

"I'm sorry," Cali whispered with an almost sob.

"So am I," he told her and then turned, taking her in his arms. "We can make this work."

She smiled sadly, tears wetting her cheeks. "You on the most remote dig you can find and me off world," she shook her head. "I think we both need some time, Daniel." She moved out of his arms and picked up the bag she'd brought out of the bedroom with her.

"Where… where are you going?" He asked, confused.

"Home," she answered. "The General has granted me some leave, so I'm going home to Abydos, I'll be there for the funeral." She wiped her cheeks. "You lost your wife, Daniel, but I lost too – my sister, my life partner and… and I lost you too." She said and then walked towards the door.

"Cali, please?" He begged.

She turned. "I've tried to be patient Daniel, but I don't know what else to do," she told him. "When I needed you, you told me to leave, well now I'm leaving." She managed to say, her voice thick with the grief she felt. She turned and walked out of the apartment.

"Stay, please." Daniel, whispered, but it was too late, he'd lost them both.

A bright light shone in Daniel's face, he saw Amaunet using the ribbon device on him. He heard Sha're's voice: "Hear me Daniel."

Daniel woke with a start and then blinked as the bedside lamp was switched on.

Sha're lent over him. "Are you ill, my husband?"

Daniel rolled onto his back, looking at her confused, snuggled behind her was Cali, still fast asleep. "Apparently." He answered her question.

She found that amusing. "Go back to sleep. Tomorrow you will rise and return to your travels through the Chappa'ai with our love."

"No I won't," he told her. He reached out and brushed her hair back. "I don't need to anymore, I've already found you. We've already found you."

Sha're was adamant though. "You must continue, so you can find the boy."

"Where is he?" Daniel asked her.

She didn't seem to hear him. "To continue your travels, you must forgive Teal'c. He did what was right."

"When he killed you," he said realizing what he was saying.

"Yes," she said calmly.

"But you're here?"

"Yes. Now go back to sleep," she said stocking his face, she kissed him as he drifted back to sleep, the light fading around them.

Daniel woke abruptly in the darkness, glancing around. He was alone; Sha're was not there and neither was Cali. Both were gone. What had he done?

Kasuf stood at the head of the open grave of his daughter, with him were Cali and Daniel, both in native attire, one each side of him. He said the funeral prey in Abydonian, even though only one of the four invited guests would understand him. That was Jack, he, General Hammond, Major Carter and Dr. Fraiser stood to one side in dress uniform. Across from them were friends of Sha're's from the tribe.

When Kasuf had finished, Daniel moved forward and knelt before gold a pair of scales that rested at the head of the grave. Cali moved to stand at his side; she would translate what he said into Abydonian.

"I speak for Sha're, who can no longer speak for herself," he began and waited as Cali said it Abydonian. He then continued. "I have spoken no lies, or acted with deceit, I was once possessed by a demon who did these things against my will," he stopped again and the translation was given. "The demon is gone and now I am without sin. Grant me a place in your blessed dwelling." He waited for Cali to finish and then placed a white feather on one side of the scales. "If my heart weighs more then a feather my soul still contains sin. If not, may my soul join the God." He paused as Kasuf, Cali and the Abydonians raised their hands heavenward. He got to his feet. "By the trail of the Great Scales, thy heart is light… thy soul has been found true."

Stepping back from the grave, the Air Force personnel followed the Abydonians in lifting a dirt-covered material and the grave was filled in.

Kasuf saw Daniel walking away, heading towards Cali; he called to him. "Good son."

He stopped as his father-in-law joined him. "It was a beautiful ceremony good father."

"It was," he agreed. "Yet my heart is still burdened."

"Why? Your daughter is with the God?"

"Yes, but you still have not heard her." Kasuf told him.

"I don't understand." Daniel said confused.

"What she has to say is important," the elder continued. "To all our future. Go to her."

Confused, Daniel walked over to where Kasuf was pointing, going out of sight of the others.

"Daniel."

He spun round and came face to face with his wife, there in native clothing, looking very much alive. He said her name in her native language.

"You must forgive Teal'c," she said calmly.

"Yes, you've already told me that."

"And together, you must find the boy," she said.

"Why?"

"For he is Hareseis," Kasuf told him as he joined them. "The one who holds the secrets."

"The boy is the son of two Goa'uld hosts," Sha're explained. "He contains all the secrets of the Goa'uld. You must find him."

"How?" Daniel asked.

Before she could answer, Sha're was pulled away, disappearing as she reached out for him.

Daniel found himself once more caught within Amaunet's ribbon device. Her voice was all he heard. "Hear me Daniel."

Daniel woke troubled; he was in his bed, in his apartment, not on Abydos. He reached over and punched in the number for the SGC. "This is Dr. Daniel Jackson, I need to speak with Major Carter."

SG-1 stepped out of the Stargate along with Robert Rothman, General Hammond and Daniel stood waiting at the bottom of the ramp; they came down to them.

Sam smiled. "Daniel."

Jack couldn't resist the sarcasm. "Well ole Dr. Jackson. What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to Sam," Daniel told him, adding. "Alone."

He didn't argue. "General, I need to…" he glanced at Rothman, "…talk to you alone."

Hammond nodded and they walked out of the Gate room.

Daniel shook hands with Rothman. "How are they treating you, Robert?"

"Oh, um, well I. I think they'd rather have you, especially Colonel O'Neill," he stammered. "It might get better when Dr. O'Neill rejoins us."

"Well don't let Jack get to you," Daniel advised, surprised to hear Cali was returning so soon. "He's just intimidated by you because you're… way smarter than he is."

"But Dr. O'Neill is way smarter than I am and he likes her."

"She's he's daughter Robert, he has to like her even though she intimidates him at times too."

Not knowing whether Daniel was having a go at him or not, Rothman laughed nervously and left.

Teal'c moved to stand before Daniel. "It is good to see you well, Daniel Jackson," he said and then started to walk away.

"Teal'c," Daniel called him back. "You did the right thing."

The Jaffa bowed his head and left the Gate room.

Sam looked to Daniel, wondering what this was all about. "So what's up?"

"How well do you understand the Goa'uld hand device, how it works?" He asked.

"Well, uh, the best I can tell, it uses a modified version of the power source of the Staff weapons, which it channels through amplification crystals that…"

Daniel stopped her. "No. I meant… it works by thought control, right?"

She nodded. "Yeah, that's one way to put it," she supposed, adding. "More like thought-control amplified with emotion."

"Okay, so there is a connection with the mind?"

"Oh yeah, definitely," she agreed.

"So it's possible to send a thought through it, if you had someone in one of those grips, like Sha're had me in?" He asked her.

Sam sighed. "As far as I know, Daniel, it's designed to kill."

"Okay, but it could do both?" He asked.

"Yeah, I suppose it could." She answered and asked her own question. "Why?"

"I'm not sure. I know this may sound like wishful thinking, but," he paused. "I think Sha're was trying to send a message to me through the hand device," he revealed and turned, walking towards the door.

"What message?" Sam asked.

He looked back. "I'm not sure," he said, and then ran his card through the scanner and the door opened, letting him leave. He didn't go home straight away through, he had a few things to do before he did. When he did finally get home, he found his door open, he cautiously walked into his apartment, seeing Jack, Cali and Kasuf, his Abydonian father-in-law having been given a green jumpsuit to wear.

"Hey Daniel." Jack greeted.

"Hi, how'd you get in here?" He asked dropping his keys on the counter.

"I let them in, Daniel." Cali said quietly.

"You left the base before we could catch you, so I thought we'd stop by and see you here."

"Good son, it is important I speak with you." Kasuf said.

"What is it, good father?"

"Colonel O'Neill tells me you are leaving his tribe, that you no longer intend to go through the Chappa'ai. Is this so?"

"It is." Daniel said, his gaze on Cali though.

"Well this disturbs me greatly," Kasuf announced. "It gives the people of Abydos great security knowing you are out there among the gods, protecting us."

"I'm sorry good father, I joined the SGC in the hopes of finding Sha're," Daniel said, pausing a little. "That goal is no longer attainable. So I cannot travel among the gods anymore. I hope you can understand that."'

"I cannot, you should continue your travels with your life partner," he said strongly. "My daughter wishes you to travel among the gods, Daniel."

"She does?"

"Yes. So that you can find the boy?"

"Forgive my, good father, how do you know that?" Daniel asked him.

"Sha're told me. Go, ask her yourself." He told him and gestured to the bedroom.

Daniel looked to Jack and Cali, who just sat there, waiting. He went over and opened the door to his bedroom and walked in, exiting not within the room but the planet where Amaunet tried to kill him. He saw Sha're standing before the tent, she beckoned him to her.

"Sha're?" He followed her inside the tent.

A bright light stabbed at him and he was caught within Amaunet's ribbon device, on his knees before her. Her voice clear: "Come to me, Daniel…"

Daniel woke, finding himself once more in his apartment, getting out of bed, he dressed and left the apartment, driving to Cheyenne Mountain, thankful his Id was still current and he was waved through. Once inside the mountain, he went straight to Teal'c quarters, knowing the Jaffa would be meditating. He opened the door slowly, hovering in the doorway. Teal'c opened his eyes, looking at him.

"Am I interrupting?" He asked.

"It is good to see you, Daniel Jackson."

Daniel went into the room and closed the door behind him. "Teal'c what happens if two Goa'ulded hosts have a child?"

"Is it strictly forbidden, punishable by death," he answered.

"Really, why?"

"If two hosts were to mate and produce a child, that child would contain all the knowledge of the Goa'uld." Teal'c revealed.

"So the genetic memory that Goa'uld have in their DNA is passed onto the human offspring?" Daniel theorized.

"That is correct. Such children are called Hareseis. These children are hunted down and destroyed by the Goa'uld with great impunity."

"So the offspring, the Hareseis, would contain all the knowledge, all the secrets of the Goa'uld that…"

"Yes Daniel," Teal'c said interrupting, using his first name. He saw the linguist hesitate, before going for the door, opening it. "Daniel Jackson. It pleases me greatly that once again you value my knowledge."

Daniel gave him a half smile and then walked out, closing the door behind him. He went to the General's office, going through the briefing room, seeing through the transparent widow that held a star map that Jack was talking to him. He knocked lightly and opened the door, going in.

"General, the guy's got two left feet. I'm telling you he slows down the unit." Jack was saying.

"Deja'vu." Daniel commented.

Jack looked at him, surprised to see him. "Deja'vu?"

"Deja'vu," Daniel repeated, revealing. "You know, Rothman was a two-timed decathlon champion in college."

"Rothman?" Jack asked skeptically.

"Two left feet, huh?" Hammond asked amused.

"Trying to get Robert out of your unit?" Daniel asked his friend.

"Well, yeah." Jack admitted.

Daniel looked to the General. "Any chance of that happening, Sir?"

"Only chance would be if you reconsider."

"Okay."

"Good, so Rothman's gone…" Jack stated to say, and then realized what Daniel had said. "What?"

"Okay," he repeated.

"Are you kidding?"

"No, I've given it some thought and I've decided I'd like to come back," the linguist said calmly.

"May I ask what changed your mind? You were fairly adamant."

"I don't know," he shrugged a little. "Let's just say that there's something through the Stargate that I think I still have to be the one to find."

Jack looked to the General, grinning. "Now, see I missed that. I have no idea what he means, but I buy it. What do you say, General?"

"I haven't put through his resignation papers yet," the General informed.

"Good, so he's in." Jack declared.

Hammond chuckled. "He's in, Colonel. Now I suggest you both get some rest, SG-1 has a mission in the morning."

"Yes sir," both said and walked out.

Jack clapped Daniel on the back. "Good to have you back, Danny-boy."

"Thanks Jack."

"Oh and if you're interested, Cali is here, in her quarters," he revealed and walked off.

Daniel didn't hesitate, he went to level 25 and the quarters his life partner kept on base and knocked on the door. It opened and he stood there looking at her. "Hi."

"Hi," she stepped back. "Do you want to come in?"

"Yeah," he did so and shut the door. Before she could say anything he tugged her into his arms and kissed her, parting her lips to deepen the kiss, feeling her respond.

"I'm sorry." He whispered. "About so many things."

"You're here now," she said, relieved to have him back. "You are, aren't you?"

"Yes," he kissed her again and backed her back towards the bed, they tumbled onto it and in a feverish hunger made love, reconnecting. "I love you so much," he whispered to her as he held her in the aftermath.

"I love you too, Daniel," she said content in his arms.

Sam stood next to Teal'c in the Gate room near the ramp, Robert Rothman was with them, she forced herself not to roll her eyes as he was putting drops in his.

Jack came in and walked casually over to Rothman. "So Bruce Jenna, sit this one out, huh?"

Rothman looked at him unsure. "Uh, me, why?"

"You've been reassigned to another unit." Jack said tactfully.

"Why?"

The Colonel couldn't believe this. "You're being replaced," he offered.

"Why?" Rothman asked again.

"Because I'm intimidated by your intelligents," Jack said sarcastically. "Where's the confusion here?"

The door to the gate room opened again and Daniel and Cali walked in, Daniel was dressed to go on the mission.

Sam smiled. "Daniel."

Rothman smiled himself, giving Daniel his GDO; he gave Jack a mock salute and left the Gate room.

"Daniel Jackson, you're rejoining SG-1?" Teal'c asked him.

Daniel glanced quickly to Jack and nodded. "Yeah."

"Thank you," the Colonel whispered.

The Stargate started spinning, the technician's voice came over the intercom. "Chevron one, engaged."

Cali put her hand on Daniel's arm. "I'll see you when you get back, I have a meeting with the General to find a team to take Rothman."

He smiled at that. "Don't give Robert too much of a hard time," he advised.

"I won't," she said sweetly and then kissed his cheek. 'I love you,' she said and Abydonian, getting the same reply from Daniel, she started to leave, playfully thumping her dad's arm as she went past. "Play nice, dad."

"Ouch," he complained with mock hurt, frowning at his daughter as she walked out.

Sam chuckled and patted Daniel on the back, welcoming him back as the Gate opened. Together SG-1 walked up the ramp and through the Gate. They stepped out onto a planet with pink trees and dark purple bushes, walking away from the Gate as it closed down.

"Carter, grab your samples," Jack ordered as she walked passed him. "Teal'c stay with her, I'm going to check out the tree line," he got a nod from the Jaffa. "Daniel," he turned to his friend. "The UAV didn't show any big signs of civilization, human, Goa'uld or otherwise, so…"

"So you want me to look for little signs of civilization, itsy-bitsy artifacts." Daniel concluded.

Jack grinned and patted Daniel's shoulder. "It's good to have you back," he told him and wandered off.

Daniel waited until all were a good distance from him and distracted with what they were doing, rushing back to the DHD, he dialed P8X-873. The Stargate opened with a whoosh, Jack turned seeing Daniel jump though the event horizon, he swore under his breath, running for the Stargate.

"Hey!" He yelled as it closed down.

Sam had made it to the DHD, but the symbols had stopped glowing.

"Where did he go?" Jack asked her.

"The address cleared before I got here," she revealed.

Daniel walked pass the bodies of the slain Jaffa, going to the tent where Amaunet used the ribbon device on him. Pushing his hat off his head, he left it hanging down his back and walked in. On the rug was a burnt spot making where Teal'c had shot Sha're.

Sha're, dressed as Amaunet, walked in. "You're finally here," she said.

He spun round. "Yes."

"You are the only one who can save the boy, Daniel."

"He's a Hareseis," Daniel declared. "He contains all their knowledge."

"Amaunet took the Abydonians as a show, so that Heru'ur would not know her true goal." Sha're revealed as she moved closer to him.

"To take the boy," he guessed.

She nodded. "She has sent him into hiding with her closest aide."

"Where?"

Sha're started to vanish, but with a major straggle, managed to pull herself back and stay with him. "Kheb."

"I know a Kheb," Daniel told her. "There's a reference to it, it's a mythical place where Osiris hid from Seth. Kheb is a myth."

"No," she said sincerely.

"Where is it?"

She stood directly before him, putting her hands on his face. "Promise me you will save the child."

"I promise."

She slipped her arms around him and kissed him before he could ask any more questions. Then it all changed.

Abruptly Daniel found himself in the grip of Amaunet's ribbon device, his sidearm tumbled to the floor as he saw Amaunet's eyes glowed and he heard Cali scream his name. Teal'c, who was standing at Cali's side, raised his staff weapon. Amaunet glanced at him as he fired, the shot knocked her off her feet and she fell. Daniel fell at her side, seeing Amaunet's eyes glow and then fade as she died, leaving only Sha're.

Sha're managed a weak smile. "I love you, Daniel, you and Cali." She closed her eyes and let death take her.

Cali let a sob escape her lips, she walked slowly towards them, stopping she fell to her knees, holstering her sidearm. Teal knelt on one knee next to her. "I am sorry, Daniel Jackson, Cali O'Neill."

"You did the right thing, Teal'c," Daniel whispered, moving closer to his wife.

Jack and Sam came in, seeing Daniel gently touch his wife's face.

"Oh God," Sam exclaimed.

Jack hurried over to his daughter, kneeling he gathered her into his arms, glancing at the Jaffa. "Teal'c?"

"Daniel Jackson will be fine," he reported. "They will be both fine."

Daniel said his farewells silent, but openly he whispered. "I love you too."

It hadn't been real, the message yes, but the way he'd seen it hadn't. His leaving the SGC, his break-up with Cali, the funeral, his return, his reconciliation with Cali, the mission, it hadn't been real – only the message.

Cali joined Daniel by the fresh grave, both of them wore Abydonian native attire, she slipped her arm around him and snuggled close, his arm going around her. "General Hammond and the other's have returned to Earth," she whispered. "He said to take a few days."

"Everything I saw might not have been real, but her message to me was," he said. "She wants me to find the boy."

"We will, Daniel. We'll do it together," she promised. A breeze whipped at their robes as the sun started to set; still they stood there in its peacefulness. Cali looked at Daniel, his eyes glassy with tears. "She's free, Daniel, you have to believe that."

"I know," he removed his glasses and hooked them to the front of his robs. "I just can't believe she's really gone."

She drew him into her arms and let him cry, grieve; she'd had her chance, now it was his turn. She rubbed his back, his shoulders shaking with every sob. They had fought hard, but in the end they had lost. Now they had each other and their extended family on Earth and Abydos.

"Good son, good daughter," Kasuf approached, carrying a lit torch.

They pulled apart, Daniel wiping his eyes on his sleeve. "Yes good father?" He replied, pulling himself together.

"Come, it is time for evening meal," he insisted. Nodding they followed him back to the large tent. "You will look for the boy?" He asked them.

"Yes good father, we know she took him to Kheb, we just have to find it." Cali revealed.

"And then?"

"I don't know," Daniel admitted. "He has the knowledge of the Goa'uld, that's a terrible burden for any child to have to deal with and he's just a baby."

Cali gripped his hand. "We'll do all we can."

Kasuf smiled warmly. "I believe you will," he snuffed out the torch in the sand, leaving it behind they walked into the tent. The evening meal was nothing fancy, supplies had been brought from the SGC and they ate well, even if their hearts weren't in it. "Good son," Kasuf approached the next subject. "On your travels through the Chappa'ai, have you come across Skarra?"

Daniel nodded. "He's the host of a Goa'uld name Klorel, we haven't heard from him in a while."

"We tried to capture him, but our attempt failed," Cali added. "Though I believe Skaara hasn't given up and fights his capture everyday."

"I believe the day will come when he is returned to us," Kasuf said confidently.

"As do we, good father." Daniel assured.

Later that night, in their own tent, Cali lay in Daniel's arms, their bed made up of soft cushions and soft woven colored blankets, luxury compared to the usual sleeping bag and rough ground they got when off world. Not all words were hospitable or had welcoming locals.

Daniel ran his fingers down Cali's bare arm; he brushed her hair back and kissed her shoulder. She moved onto her back, keeping the blanket tucked around her naked body, smiling up at him. He lent over, his lips brushing over hers.

Curious, Cali stroked his cheek. "What is it?"

"Nothing," he assured and did it again. "I love you."

"I love you too," she whispered and drew him to her. They made love slowly, savoring every sensation, free with their feelings of love of each other.

In the morning when she woke, she felt his fingers gently caressing her stomach beneath the blanket; she smiled warmly, knowing what he was thinking. "It will happen, my Daniel, when the time is right."

"I know."

She lovingly stroked his hair as he lay with his head on her stomach. "Janet told me not to expect too much too soon."

He smiled. "Of me, or my abilities?" He smirked.

"Both I think," she teased and laughed when he tickled her. "Daniel…"

He stopped, grinning. Hearing their names being called by Kasuf. "Yes good father."

"Come, good son, good daughter, the day has began," he called from outside the tent.

Chuckling they got up and dressed, using a little water to clean their teeth, before joining Kasuf outside the tent, they ate morning meal with the entire tribe, when it was over the women ushered Cali away with them. Daniel and Kasuf walked among their people.

"Good son, now my daughter is with the God," the tribal leader began, "and your love is strong for Cali, I wish to ask your intentions?"

Daniel smiled. "Good father, Cali and I are happy with our life together, we love each other. I'm her life partner and she is mine, that's all we need."

The elder nodded. "Yes, yes, understand this I do. However by our laws, your wife she now is."

"Whoa, wait," Daniel stopped him. "With Sha're's death, Cali is automatically becomes my wife?"

"Yes, Cali was my daughter's life partner, when you married Sha're, Cali became your consort, by her. When you accepted Cali as your life partner, she accepted her roll within your family," Kasuf explained. "With my daughter's death, she is now no longer your consort but your wife."

"Oh boy," Daniel muttered. "Jack is going to love this."

"I do not understand, O'Neill accepts your life with Cali and now you worry about his acceptance of you having his daughter's as your wife?"

"It's complicated," he said. "You see good father, I was only married to Sha're by your laws here on Abydos. Though General Hammond had Sha're listed as my wife on my records, he told me, because the ceremony didn't take place on Earth, it wasn't legal by their laws."

"I see, so neither will your marriage to Cali."

"That's right, it's only legal by Abydonian law."

"Then that is enough," Kasuf dismissed casually. "You good son are now my adopted daughter's husband, the law is law."

Daniel didn't fight it. "I will do my best to be a good husband to Cali," he told him and bowed his head.

The elder put his hand on Daniel's head. "Of that good son I have no doubts." He said. "I will conduct the ceremony before you leave," he informed and walked away.

Looking up, Daniel looked over to where Cali was with the other women. "How do I get myself into these things," he said to himself and went over to her. "My love a word?" He reached out his hand to her.

She took it and walked with him. "You have that look, Dr. Jackson," she mused.

"Oh you're going to love this, Dr. O'Neill-Jackson," he smirked and stopped when she did, seeing her surprised look. "It seems by Abydonian law, you are now my wife."

"I had a feeling he'd do that, invoke that law," she said chewing on her lip.

He was silently amused. "And you were going to tell me, when?"

Cali slipped into his waiting arms. "After we returned to Earth."

"And you were going to explain it to your dad?"

She winced. "After a few beers."

Daniel chuckled. "I think, we should keep this one to ourselves, after all the law is only legal on Abydos."

"True," she granted.

He nuzzled the top of her head and they stood there in silence, the sounds of the tribe going about their day, a gentle breeze tugged at their robes. "We're going to be all right, Cali."

She sighed resting her head against his chest. "All wounds heal, Daniel, given time."

"We have that," he promised her. "All the time in the world."

"I hope so Daniel," she said in barely a whisper.

They had found Kheb, with Bra'tac's help they had found it, Cali hadn't been there though, she'd been off world with SG-3 when the Jaffa Master had arrived and they'd left. She'd been off world still when they'd returned.

As he sat curled up on the sofa, Daniel wished she'd been with them at Kheb, wished she'd seen the writing, the philosophy and wisdom of Oma Deslea, seen the power the being had shown him and most of all he wished she'd seen the child.

Since Sha're's death, life had gone on, SG-1 had done what they always do, one mission at a time. They'd gone to hell, well Netu to rescue Jacob Carter, coming back a little worse for wear. Then of course there was the Foothold situation that was not talked about. The Tollan's had contacted them a few weeks after that revealing Skaara was on their home planet of Tollana and Daniel and Jack had argued for Skaara's freedom and won it, the Tok'ra had removed Klorel from Skaara and he was now back on Abydos. Then there was Urgo, Cali had laughed for days after she'd heard; she'd been off world with SG-11 when that incident had occurred. Then they went to Edora and things went from good to bad, Jack had been stranded on the planet for three months after the gate had been buried due to an asteroid strike. In those three long months Sam worked herself to exhaustion, as they all did, anything to keep their mind off the fact they might not get him back. They did though and he walked back into their lives with a few new demons to haunt him.

Then a dark period that none of them were happy to remember happened, unknown to them Jack had gone undercover to expose rogue NID agents, but in doing so he had alienated himself from them, including his own daughter. Which was when Cali had moved in permanently with Daniel, when it was all over and they found out about it, she just forgot to move out again. Not that Daniel minded, she'd barely lived with her father anyway and he loved her, she was his wife, he wanted her in his life forever.

And he'd rebuilt his friendship with Jack, slowly but he had.

Daniel sighed, going to Kheb had been a mission he'd wanted to share with Cali, but he hadn't. He'd actually believed he'd been able to do all those things and he'd done none of them, it had been all Oma. She'd taken the boy with her, Daniel knew that Sha're's son would be safe with the ascended being, but in the end it still hurt. He jumped at the ringing of his phone, leaning over he snatched the cordless from its cradle, hitting the talk button before putting it to his ear. "Jackson."

"Hey Danny-boy."

He winced at the nickname. "Hello Jack, what's up?"

"Nothing, Cali home yet?"

"No." He answered; knowing the Colonel knew just as well as he did Cali wasn't due home until morning. "So you rang… because?"

"No reason."

Daniel chuckled. "Sam wasn't answering her phone and you know better then to call Teal'c at this hour of the night. So in desperation, knowing I would still be up, you rang me?"

"Yeah, something like that."

"Need some company, Jack?" He asked seriously.

"Nar, I'll be fine."

"Isn't that my line," Daniel through at him, knowing Jack would be smiling about now.

"Hey you've borrowed plenty of mine."

"Have not."

"Have too, even if you do say them in Abydonian or Goa'uld or some other language."

Chuckling Daniel had to admit, he did throw sarcasm at unexpected SG teams in languages they didn't understand just to remind them he was the linguist. But then again he knew Cali did it too. "I only have to remember not to do to you, you know Abydonian," he teased.

There was a chuckle on the other end of the phone. "Maybe we should teach Carter the language, then we can chat to each other during briefings and the General wouldn't be able to understand us."

"Jack, you're a child."

"Thank you, so what do you think?"

"I think you're a child and no I'm not going to teach Sam, Abydonian."

"Oh come on, Daniel."

"No, Jack."

"Fine."

Oh sulky Jack, well Daniel could handle that. "I'm going to hang up, Jack."

"Fine."

"Good night Jack," he said with a smile and disconnected the call, putting the headset back in its cradle. He looked around the apartment and sighed, he knew he should go to bed, but that meant lying in the large bed alone. That was the only thing he hated about Cali going off world, he had to sleep alone. He'd gotten use to having her beside him, holding her in his arms. The sound of her breathing, the way her hair tickled his nose when he lay spooned against her.

When the ringing of the phone broke into his thoughts, he nearly ignored it, it would be like Jack to ring back and annoy him some more. Then again it may not be Jack. He reached over and picked it up, hitting the talk button. "Jackson."

"Sir, it's Sergeant Harriman, could you come to the base immediately, General Hammond would like to see you?"

"I'm on my way, Sergeant."

"Thank you, Sir."

Daniel hung up, dumping the phone back on the cradle; he grabbled his coat, keys and wallet and hurried out of the apartment. Driving to the mountain in record time, even though the Sergeant hadn't said it was an emergency, he just wanted to get there quickly. Not bothering to change, he went straight to the General's office, knocking before going in. "You wanted to see me, Sir?"

Hammond smiled, the linguist had probably broken a few speeding laws to get to the mountain as quick as he did. "Yes, doctor," he stood and gestured him to follow. "We made contact with SG-3 and Dr. O'Neill, the doctor would like you to go to P3X-789, she said it's important."

"Is everything all right, Sir?" He asked a little worried.

"As far as we know, son, Dr. O'Neill just said it was important and she needed you on the planet."

"I'll be ready to go in fifteen minutes, Sir," he announced and hurried off to the lockers. Changing quickly into fatigues, he tied a bandana around his head; he got his pack, vest and side arm and headed back to the Gate room, being ready to go as soon as he walked in. Finding Teal'c was there, also ready to leave.

"I am to accompany you, Daniel Jackson," the Jaffa informed.

"Good to have you along, Teal'c," he said with a smile.

General Hammond was in the control room; he nodded to them as the Gate opened with its familiar whoosh. Announcing over the PA. "You have a go, Dr. Jackson, Teal'c."

Daniel looked back and gave him a brief smile, before walking up the ramp with Teal'c and through the Stargate, traveling instantaneously to P3X-789, stepping out through that planet's Gate.

Colonel Reynolds was waiting for them. "Doctor Jackson, Teal'c, welcome to P3X-789."

"Thank you," Daniel said, glancing at the heavily forest area before them. "Where is Dr. O'Neill?"

"This way," the Marine gestured.

They followed him, there were two large moons in the night sky that gave the planet it's twilight. Right beside the highest moon was a glittering rainbow nebula.

"Wow!" Daniel exclaimed, looking at it.

Reynolds smiled. "You haven't seen anything yet, Dr. Jackson,"

"There's more?" Daniel asked eagerly.

"Oh yeah."

Teal'c gave a small smile at his friends enthusiasm, something he noticed a lot when the young man was excited about what he was seeing or about too.

Colonel Reynolds let them through the forest, on a path that had been used only in the last few days. The path stopped at a caves entrance. "Now it gets interesting," the Marine exclaimed and switched on his torch, leading the way inside.

Daniel noticed the walls seemed to sparkle almost phosphorescent, Sam would so like this.

"Daniel Jackson, we are traveling down." Teal'c announced.

"That's right," the Colonel informed. "We're going deep inside the planet, there's a city inside it, or what use to be a city, its deserted now."

"Really?" Daniel was intrigued.

"Has Cali O'Neill knowledge of who inhabited the city?" Teal'c inquired.

"She believes it was the Ancients."

They walked for another twenty minutes before stepping into an enormous cavern; the city laid spread out before them. There were cobble streets beneath their boots, a gentle breeze blew around them, and the buildings look like those in any Italian country town.

"This is amazing!" Daniel said taken aback, trying to take in as much as he could as he followed the Marine and Jaffa.

Reynolds just smiled and led them to one of the largest buildings, going inside. "We've set up camp here," he announced. "I'll show you where you'll be staying." He took them through a small apartment like room. "Dr. O'Neill is in here, so I'm going to put the two of you with her. My men and I have the next suite."

Daniel and Teal'c removed their parks, leaving them behind, they followed the Marine again; his men were spread out from there to the chamber Reynolds took them too. The Marine nodded to his 2IC.

"Dr. O'Neill is still inside, Sir," the Major reported.

"Go take a look gentlemen," the Colonel insisted. "Maybe you can convince the good doctor to come out and get some rest."

"We shell endeavor to do so," Teal'c declared and followed Daniel into the chamber. Nearly running into him as he stopped sharply, the chamber they had entered was amazing, the stone beneath their boots was black marble, as were the walls, reflective and polished. Holographic imagers of planets, stars, nebula's, and sol systems hovered around them.

Cali stood in the middle of the room, her equipment at her feet. She grinned, seeing them. "Daniel, Teal'c, isn't this amazing?"

"It is, Cali O'Neill." Teal'c agreed as they walked closer.

"This is…" Daniel was speechless. "It's…"

"I know," she exclaimed excitedly.

Teal'c hung back, looking around the chamber, leaving Daniel to cross to his life partner's side. "What is the intention of this chamber, Cali O'Neill?"

"I think it's a map room, Teal'c," she said and reached out her hand to Daniel. He took it.

Teal'c turned around in time to see the two of them disappear in a flash of bright white light. "Daniel Jackson, Cali O'Neill!"

Reynolds and his men ran in, weapons ready. "What happened?" The Colonel asked.

"They were eloped in a white light," the Jaffa revealed.

"Colonel O'Neill is not going to like this," the young Major said with a touch of hesitance to his voice.

"Jeez, Jack is going to kill me," Reynolds groaned. "I lost both of them."

Daniel looked around, one minute they'd been in the chamber, the next he and Cali were enclosed in a brilliant white light and the next they were in darkness. He felt Cali squeeze his hand as the darkness around them started to dissipate, allowing them to see they were in another chamber, this one similar to the one they'd been in. The chamber's lighting got brighter, but just enough to give the room an almost glow effect.

"It feels like we just stepped through the looking glass?" He whispered to her.

"Looking glass?"

"It's from 'Alice and Wonderland', I would have through Jack would had at least hired that one out for you on video." Daniel snorted.

"We got out 'Wizard of Oz' when I first arrived home," Cali revealed. "I guess we're not in Kansas any more Toto."

He smiled. "Doesn't look like it."

Both saw the figure walking towards them, reaching for their side arms, only to find their holsters were empty, their side arms had been there moments ago.

"You don't need your weapons," a gentle but almost familiar voice said.

The shock showed on their faces as he revealed himself, a man in his mid twenties, who looked a lot like Jack.

Cali realized who it was. "You're Jake."

"Yes," he answered with a smile. "We've met before."

"We have?" She was surprised. "You're dead, you died before I was born."

Daniel got it. "You're like Oma."

Jake smiled. "Yes," he said. "It's nice to met you Daniel."

"You know me?"

He nodded. "I've been keeping an eye on my daughter since the day she was born, so yes."

"You said we've met before, when?" Cali asked interrupting.

"When you were shot by the Jaffa, I came to you and we talked," Jake answered.

"I don't remember."

"You weren't supposed to."

"So why are we here?" Daniel asked. "Other then for a reunion?"

Jake chuckled. "You've been spending to much time around, Jack, Daniel," he mused.

"Thank you, I think," the linguist remarked dryly.

Chuckling again, Jake smiled. "I brought you both here to tell you the child of Sha're is fine and doing well."

"He is?"

"Yes."

"You know where he is?" Cali asked anxiously.

"I do," Jake told her calmly. "He is safe."

"Will we see him again?" Daniel inquired.

"There are a lot of paths to be walked, Daniel," the ascended being said cryptically.

"Right."

Jake saw that wasn't the answer the archaeologist had been expecting. "I'm sorry I can't tell you more."

"What can you tell us?" His daughter asked.

"That you both have an amazing journey a head of you, one that will give you both the answers you seek."

"Will we see you again?"

"I'm always with you, Cali. Always." He promised and with a wave of his hand, they were both eloped by a bright white light and transported away.

A woman came to stand at his side. "You cannot change their path?"

"I only wish there was some other way," Jake told her. "I don't want to see either of them hurt."

"It is their pain that will shape them into the people they need to be."

He sighed. "No man should out live his children, Oma," he said and prayed his brother could handle the path that was before him, the legacy that was before them.

Teal'c saw the flash of light. "O'Neill!"

Jack rushed into the chamber along with Sam and Reynolds, seeing Cali and Daniel standing in the middle of the chamber, looking a little bewildered. "Where the hell have you two been?"

"I'm not quiet sure," Daniel stated a little confused, he looked to Cali.

She was just as mystified. "Neither am I," she admitted. "How long were we gone?"

"Five hours, Cali O'Neill." Teal'c revealed.

"Whoa, didn't feel that long."

"Well let's get you two back to the SGC and have Dr. Fraiser check you both out." Jack decided.

"We're fine, Jack," Daniel protested. "Besides I just got here, I want to look over the chamber in more detail."

"You can, next visit."

"Jack."

"Aha, no arguing, lets go," he ordered.

Cali noticed her equipment, notebooks; everything was backed up back into her pack. She picked it up and still holding Daniel's hand, walked out of the chamber with him.

Back on Earth, Janet Fraiser found nothing wrong with either of them. "I can't explain it, Sir," she said at the briefing, she sat next to Sam. "They're both fine and I can't find any medical reason why they can't remember."

"Thank you, doctor." Hammond said

"General, I'd like to go back to P3X-789," Daniel requested.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Daniel." Jack protested.

"The Colonel is right, Daniel, you and Cali could have set off a trap of some sort." Sam said, theorizing.

"Then how did we get back?" Cali purposed.

Sam was going to suggest an answer when General Hammond intervened. "Why don't you all get some rest and we'll discuss this in the morning." He got a round of 'yes sirs' from around the table. "All right then, dismissed."

Standing they filed out of the room, SG-1 walking towards quarters they kept on base.

"So you really have no idea what happened?" Sam asked the two of them.

"None at all," Daniel said and Cali backed him up.

"Okay," the Major said, seeing neither was going to say any more.

"Get some rest you two," Jack ordered as they came to her quarters.

"You too," Cali told her dad, seeing him smile and wonder off. She and Daniel bid good night to the others and went into her quarters, shutting the door.

"That happened, didn't?" Daniel asked her. Neither were sure what they'd experienced was something the rest of their team members would believe.

She nodded. "I think it did."

"So?"
Cali slipped easily into his arms. "So now we see where the path takes us," she said softy, her head resting against his chest.

Nuzzling the top of her head, Daniel started to wander if maybe Jake O'Neill had been trying to warn them about something. But whatever path their future took them down, they'd walk it together.

The end of this chapter.